Rectum
The rectum is the terminal (end) section of the digestive tract. It is a direct continuation of the large intestine, but it differs from it both in structure and in its functions.
Rectum structure
The rectum is located in the pelvic cavity. Its length in an adult is about 15 cm. It ends with the anus (anus) located on the skin of the perineum.
The rectum consists of three layers: mucous, submucosal and muscular. Outside, it is covered with a fairly strong fascia. There is a thin layer of adipose tissue between the muscle membrane and the fascia itself. In addition to the rectum, this layer surrounds the cervix in women, and in men - the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
Slightly above the anus, the mucous membrane forms numerous vertical folds - Morgagni's columns. There are folds between the columns, in which small particles of feces, foreign bodies can linger, which in turn can cause the development of an inflammatory process. Constipation, inflammation can lead to the appearance of papillary folds on the surface (elevation of the usual mucous membrane), which are sometimes mistaken for rectal polyps.
Rectum functions
In the rectum, feces accumulate and harden before the bowel movement. This evacuation function is largely controlled by the consciousness and will of a person.
Diseases of the rectum
All rectal pathologies have a huge impact on the quality and standard of life of any person. Therefore, modern medicine pays great attention to the prevention of diseases and the treatment of the rectum. For the diagnosis of diseases, various instrumental and non-instrumental diagnostic methods are used: physiological, radiological, laboratory research methods. However, the most informative method is colonoscopy, which can detect many, including precancerous diseases and rectal cancer.
The most common rectal diseases are:
- Proctitis is an inflammatory process in the rectum;
- Rectal prolapse - the main cause of this pathology is most often the weakening of the muscles that form the pelvic floor;
- Fissures (cracks) - small tears in the rectal mucosa;
- Rectal polyps - usually do not cause any discomfort to patients. However, over time, they can degenerate into a malignant tumor;
- Rectal cancer is a rather formidable and dangerous disease. Its treatment is operative and consists in the removal of the rectum (partial or complete with the anus). If a patient with rectal cancer seeks medical help late and it is no longer possible to perform a radical operation, then he is prescribed palliative treatment (radiation, chemotherapy), the purpose of which is to prolong the patient's life and improve its quality. In order to diagnose rectal cancer in a timely manner, you should regularly undergo medical examinations, especially for people suffering from rectal polyps.
The rectum is treated by proctologists. Many diseases are treated conservatively, and only if the therapy is unsuccessful, there are indications for surgical intervention. After removal of the rectum, an unnatural anal opening (colonostomy) is applied or, if the patient's condition permits, reconstructive operations are performed (an artificial rectum is created from the large intestine).
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