Abstract
A thorough understanding of anal cancer necessitates a nuanced comprehension of the anatomy involved. The anal canal and sphincter complex are often oversimplified, but the alternative perspectives on this anatomic region and its histologic characteristics influence how anal cancer pathology is conceptualized and ultimately treated. In this chapter, we highlight the divergent definitions and complexity of anal canal anatomy, review the anatomic and functional configuration of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter musculature, delineate histologic characteristics of the anal canal and perianal skin, and describe the distinct vascular and lymphatic drainage patterns of the anal canal and perianal skin.
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Abbreviations
- RAIR:
-
Rectoanal inhibitory reflex
- S2–S4:
-
Sacral nerves S2–S4
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Sundel, M.H., Voltaggio, L., Leeds, I.L., Fang, S.H. (2019). Anatomy and Histology of the Anus. In: Meyer, J., Kachnic, L. (eds) Anal Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20253-8_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20253-8_1
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