colon, rectum, anus Flashcards
(201 cards)
parts of the large intestine
- cecum is largest part and where small bowel joins colon (no distinct division between cecum and ascending colon which is retroperitoneal)
- hepatic flexure (inf to liver) bend in asc colon where it becomes transverse colon
- transverse colon suspends freely in peritoneal cavity by transverse mesocolon
- splenic flexure is where transverse colon bends at the spleen and is retroperitoneal
- descending colon is retorter down to sigmoid colon which is loop of redundant colon in llq
- distal colon is intraperi becomes the rectum at the sacrum then cont. to anal sphincters that form short (3cm) anal canal
rectum anatomy
- 15cm long
- teniae coli disperse and disappear at level of sacral promontory resulting in longitudinal muscle layer that becomes continuous homogeneous layer
- prox rectum covered by peritoneum ant not post to 10cm above anal verge
importance of knowing what part of the rectum is intraperitoneal
full thickness rectal bx taken from higher than 8-9cm above anal verge carries risk of free perf into peritoneal cavity
where does the anal canal extend from
anorectal junction (dentate/pectinate line) to anal verge
what does the dentate one mark
junction between columnar rectal epithelium (insensate) and the squamous anal epithelium (richly innervated by somatic sensory nerves)
columns of Morgagni (rectal columns)
- immediately proximal to dentate line
- where perianal glands discharge secretions, level of anal crypts
where do perirectal abscesses usually originate
columns of morgagni (anal crypts)
what is the blood supply of ascending colon and prox half of transverse colon
branches of sma
what is the blood supply of distal half of transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon
infer mesenteric artery
importance of understanding arterial blood supply in certain areas of colon
-junction of two separate blood vessel systems, blood supply is poor so anastomoses in this region would carry higher risk of ischemic complications
marginal artery of drummond
vessel runs parallel to about 2-3cm from descending colon wall and is a collateral that connects the middle colic and left colic systems
-provides adequate blood supply to descending colon even if left colic artery has to be sacrificed during sigmoid or distal descending colon surgery
venous drainage of large bowel
- most branches accompany the arteries and eventually drain into portal system
- inf mesenteric vein drains into splenic vein which joins w super mesenteric vein to form portal vein
arterial supply of rectum
branch of inf mesenteric artery (sup hemorrhoidal artery) for upper rectum and from branches of internal iliac arteries (middle hemorrhoidal arteries) and internal pudendal arteries (inf hem arteries) for the middle and lower rectum
venous supply of rectum
veins from upper rectum drain into portal system through inf mes vein; middle and inf rectal veins drain into systemic circulation through the internal iliac and pudendal veings
what are hemorrhoids
physiologic venous cushions that connect the two systems
lymphatic drainage of large intestine
parallels arterial blood supply w several levels of lymph nodes between periaortic plexus and parabolic lymph nodes
order of tumor metastases of lymph nodes
paracolic lymph nodes then middle tier of lymph nodes then periaortic lymph nodes
layers of bowel wall of colon
mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa
what is the major histologic difference between colon and small intestine
- colon has no villi
- outer longitudinal smooth muscle layer is separated into 3 bands (teniae coli) that cause out pouching of bowel between teniae (haustra)
internal sphincter
continuation of the circular muscular layer of the rectum; invol sphincter made of smooth muscle
external sphincter
- striated voluntary muscle
- 3 parts: subq, superficial and deep portions
- deep portion is continuity w legator ani muscles (base of pelvic floor)
most important control of colon activity
mediated by regional reflex activity that occurs in submucosal plexuses
3 ways colon and rectum play role in maintaining hemeostasis
- absorb water and electrolytes from liquid stool
- through fermentation, help digest some starches and protein that are resistant to digestion and absorption by small bowel
- serve as storage for feces
mc anaerobic colonic organism
bacteroides fragilis