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Y2 - GI > Rectum And Anal Canal > Flashcards

Rectum And Anal Canal Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

What is the function of the rectum?

A

Temporary storage of faeces prior to defaecation

Doesnt contain faeces unless need the toilet

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2
Q

How is the structure of the longitudinal muscle on the outside of the rectum different to the rest of the colon?

A

Has continous band of outer longitudinal muscles
Which is different to the Taenia coli of the rest of the colon

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3
Q

How is the peritoneum related to the rectum?

A

Parts are extra peritoneal and others are Intra peritoneal

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4
Q

What stimulates the urge to defecate?

A

The stretching of rectum by faeces

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5
Q

What are the 3 arteries that supply blood to the rectum?

A

Superior rectal artery
Middle rectal artery
Inferior rectal artery

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6
Q

What blood vessel/artery does the superior rectal artery come from?

A

Is a continuation of the inferior mesenteric artery

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7
Q

What blood vessel/artery does the middle rectal artery come from?

A

Its a branch from the internal iliac artery

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8
Q

What blood vessel/artery does the inferior rectal artery come from?

A

Its a branch from the pudendal artery

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9
Q

What are the 2 types of venous drainage to the rectum and anal canal?

A

Portal drainage

Systemic drainage

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10
Q

What vein acts as portal drainage for the upper part of the rectum?

A

Superior rectal vein

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11
Q

What vein acts as systemic drainage for the distal part of the rectum/anus?

A

Internal iliac vein

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12
Q

How can peri-anal Varices develop?

A

There are Porto-systemic anastomosis between the superior rectal vein of the portal drainage and the internal iliac vein of the systemic drainage

Portal hypertension can lead to the veins draining the anasotomoses distending leading to Varices formation

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13
Q

What vein drains the hindgut into the portal system?

A

Inferior mesenteric vein

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14
Q

Where is the anorectal junction/start of the anal canal?

A

Proximal border of the anal sphincter complex

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15
Q

What muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining fecal continence?

How does it do this?

A

Puborectalis sling (part of puborectalis muscle)

It angles the anal canal posteriorly (when it points anteriorly faeces can pass through more easily)

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16
Q

What factors of the anal canal are needed for good continence?

A

Distensible rectum (can stretch)
Firm bulky faeces
Normal anorectal angle
Anal cushions
Normal anal sphincters

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17
Q

What are anal/haemorhoidal cushions?

A

Network of venous blood vessels smooth muscle and cartilage that aid continence

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18
Q

What are the 2 sections of the anal sphincter complex?

A

Internal involuntary sphincter

External voluntary anal sphincter

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19
Q

What type of muscle is the internal involuntary sphincter of the anal sphincter complex?

A

Circular smooth muscle

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20
Q

What type of control is the internal involuntary sphincter under?

A

Autonomics

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21
Q

What type of muscle is the external anal sphincter of the anal sphincter complex?

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A

Striated muscle

22
Q

What are the 3 parts to the external anal sphincter?

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A

Deep section
Superficial section
Subcutaneous section

23
Q

What is important about the deep section of the external anal sphincter?

What muscles does it mix with and join with?

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A

Marks boundary of upper anal canal

Mixes with levator ani and joins pubs-rectalis to from the sling

24
Q

What is the nerve supply to the external anal sphincter that is under voluntary control?

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A

Pudendal nerve

25
What is the process of defaecation?
Mass movement (rapid peristalsis from the distal 1/3 of transverse colon) Defecation reflex Inc pressure in the rectum leads to either defecation or delay in defecation
26
What is th defecation reflex?
Distension in rectum due to faeces leads to contraction of rectum and sigmoid colon. Withi relaxation of the internal anal sphincter (involuntary) but contraction of external anal sphincter
27
Once pressure increases in the rectum, what is the next step to get defecation?
External anal sphincter (voluntary) relaxes Puborectalis muscle relaxes Valsalva manoeuvre
28
What affect does the relaxation of the puborectalis muscle have?
Makes the anus orientate more anterioly so the faeces have a more linear path from rectum to anus so easier passage
29
What is the valsalva maneuver?
When you strain/forcefully exhale with glottis closed This increases Intra abdominal pressure helping pass the faeces
30
Look at the last slide, label the rectum and anus:
1 = pectinate/dentate line 2 = anorectal border 3 = rectum 4 = anus 5 = white line of anus
31
What is the significance of the pectinate line in the anus? How do the cells differ either side?
Deep to the pectinate line (towards the rectum) = columnar epithelia Superficial to the pectinate line (towards the entrance of the anus) = stratified squamous
32
How do the cells either side of the white line in the anus differ?
Distal end of the white line = keratinised squamous epithelia Side of white line closer to the rectum = non keratinised squamous epithelia
33
What are anal cushions/haemorrhoids?
Venous plexus Have connections between veins and some arteries As they fill with blood act as extra tissue contributing to continence
34
What is the pectinate line the junction of?
Hindgut and proctoduem (Ectoderm)
35
How do pain receptors differ above and below the pectinate line?
Above pectinate line = visceral pain receptors (diffuse pain) Below pectinate line = somatic pain receptors (specific pain)
36
What are the 2 types of haemorrhoids?
Internal haemorrhoids External haemorrhoids
37
What causes internal haemorrhoids?
Loss of connective tissue support above the pectinate line
38
Why are internal haemorrhoids painless?
They occur above the pectinate line which have visceral pain receptors
39
How can internal haemorrhoids become painful?
Can enlarge and prolapse through the anal canal below the pectinate line
40
How are internal haemorrhoids treated?
Prevents increasing pressure of anal cushions: Increased hydration /high fibre diet to basically prevent constipation Avoid straining Rubber band ligation Surgery
41
Why are external haemorrhoids painful?
Anal cushions swelling below the pectinate line so has somatic pain innervation so is very specific and painful
42
What is the treatment of external haemorrhoids?
Surgery
43
What is an anal fissure?
Linear tear in the anoderm (ectoderm) below the pectinate line
44
How does and anal fissure present?
Usually occurs after passing hard stool Pain of defecation Haematochezia
45
What is Haematochezia?
Rectal bleeding
46
What is the general cause of anal fissures?
High internal sphincter tone Reduced blood flow to anal mucosa
47
What is the treatment for anal fissures?
Basically preventing constipation: -hydration -dietary fibre -analgesia Warm baths Meds trying to relax the internal anal sphincter too help with healing
48
What are some common causes of Haematochezia?
Diverticulitis Angiodysplasia Colitis (ulcerative colitis, infection, shigella and campylobacter) Colorectal cancer (cancer erodes blood vessels) Anorectal disease like haemorrhoids or anal fissures Rare (upper GI bleed with fast transit time)
49
What is melaena?
When there is black tarry stools that are offensive smelling due to Hb being altered by digestive enzymes and gut bacteria
50
What causes melaeana?
Slow upper GI bleeds: Peptic ulcer bleeds Variceal bleeds Upper GI malignancy Oesophageal/gastric cancer Gastritis Meckels diverticulum Iron supplements
51
Why are the stools black and tarry in melaena?
The haemoglobin gets altered by enzymes and gut bacteria as its past out in stool

Y2 - GI (35 decks)

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