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Anatomy of The Anal Canal

The anal canal is about 4cm long and passes downward from the rectum to the anus. It has two layers of muscles - an outer longitudinal layer and inner circular layer. The inner circular layer thickens at the upper end to form the involuntary internal sphincter, which is surrounded by the voluntary external sphincter composed of skeletal muscle. The anal canal has important relationships anteriorly to the perineal body and urogenital diaphragm, and posteriorly to the anococcygeal body. It is supplied by arteries, veins and nerves that allow for control of defecation.

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167 views12 pages

Anatomy of The Anal Canal

The anal canal is about 4cm long and passes downward from the rectum to the anus. It has two layers of muscles - an outer longitudinal layer and inner circular layer. The inner circular layer thickens at the upper end to form the involuntary internal sphincter, which is surrounded by the voluntary external sphincter composed of skeletal muscle. The anal canal has important relationships anteriorly to the perineal body and urogenital diaphragm, and posteriorly to the anococcygeal body. It is supplied by arteries, veins and nerves that allow for control of defecation.

Uploaded by

oyomziic
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Anatomy of the anal

canal
Anatomy of the anal canal
• About 4cm long
• Passes downward and backward
from the rectal ampulla (at the
level of the sling formed by the
puborectalis) to the anus
• Remains contracted and forms
an antero-posterior slit, except
during defecation
• The walls are kept in apposition
by the levator ani muscle and
the anal sphincter
The Anal Canal: Relations
• Anteriorly:
• Perineal body
• Urogenital diaphragm
• Membranous urethra & bulb of
penis in male, and lower part of
vagina in female
• Posteriorly:
• Anococcygeal body
• Laterally:
• Ischiorectal fossa
Mucous Membrane
• Upper Half
 Lined by columnar epithelium
 Thrown into vertical folds called
anal columns, which are joined
together at lower ends by
semilunar folds called anal valves
(semilunar folds are remnants of
the anal membrane)
• Lower Half:
 Lined by stratified squamous
epithelium
 No columns
Muscles
• Two distinct layers: outer
longitudinal & inner circular
layer of smooth muscle
• Thickening of the smooth
muscles of the circular layer at
the upper end of anal canal
forms the involuntary internal
sphincter
• The internal sphincter is
enclosed by a sheath of skeletal
muscle that forms the voluntary
external sphincter
External Anal Sphincter
• Voluntary
• Composed of skeletal muscle
• Surrounds the inferior 2/3rd of anal canal
• Divided into three parts:
 Subcutaneous part: encircles the
lower end of the anal canal, has no
bony attachment
 Superficial part: attached to perineal
body anteriorly, and coccyx
posteriorly
 Deep part: encircles the upper end of
the anal canal, has no bony
attachment
Anorectal Ring
• A distinct muscular ring formed
at the junction of rectum and
anal canal
• Formed by the internal
sphincter, deep part of the
external sphincter and the
puborectalis
• Can be felt at rectal examination
• Helps in increasing the anorectal
angle
Arterie supply
Arteries:
• Upper half: superior rectal artery
(continuation of the inferior
mesenteric artery)
• Lower half: inferior rectal artery
Venous drainage
• Venous Drainage:
• Upper half: superior rectal vein
drained into the inferior mesenteric
vein
• Lower half: inferior rectal vein drained
into the internal pudendal vein
• Important site of portal-systemic anastomosis
Nerves Supply
• Involuntary internal sphincter supplied by
inferior hypogastric plexus (sympathetic) &
pelvic splanchnic nerves (parasympathetic)

• Voluntary external sphincter supplied by


inferior rectal nerve (branch of internal
pudendal nerve) and perineal branch of the
S4 nerve
Nerves supply
• Sympathetic L1-3
• Parasympathetic S2-4 (nervi
ergentes)
• The hypogastric plexus
• Pelvic plexus
Terima Kasih

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