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Dissecting microscopy of the rectal mucosa in health and disease

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

The dissecting-microscopic appearance of the human rectal mucosa was studied in 147 biopsy specimens. The normal mucosa is divided into mucosal units by a “honeycomb” pattern of the rectal microvasculature, the center of each unit containing a refractile “pit” which may represent the mouth of the rectal crypt. The changes occurring in ulcerative colitis were graded according to severity of disturbance of the vascular channels, ranging from dilatation, neoformation and tortuosity of the individual vessels to complete disorganization of the “honeycomb” pattern. The vascular and “pit” changes in ulcerative colitis and other diseases of the rectum are described. The pathogenesis of the dissecting-microscopic changes is discussed in relation to the normal vascular pattern of the human colonic mucosa.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gasiro-intestinal Clinic, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa

    Simmy Bank M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P. (Head, Gastro-intestinal Clinic), B. H. Novis M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P. (Specialist), D. G. Burns F.C.P. (S.A.), Ph.D. (Oxon) (Part-time Specialist) & I. N. Marks M.B., F.R.C.P. (Ed.) (Senior Specialist)

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa

    Simmy Bank M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P. (Head, Gastro-intestinal Clinic), B. H. Novis M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P. (Specialist), D. G. Burns F.C.P. (S.A.), Ph.D. (Oxon) (Part-time Specialist) & I. N. Marks M.B., F.R.C.P. (Ed.) (Senior Specialist)

Authors
  1. Simmy Bank M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P.
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  2. B. H. Novis M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P.
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  3. D. G. Burns F.C.P. (S.A.), Ph.D. (Oxon)
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  4. I. N. Marks M.B., F.R.C.P. (Ed.)
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Additional information

Supported by the Medical Research Council of South by the Medical Research Council of South Africa and the University of Cape Town Staff Research Fund.

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Bank, S., Novis, B.H., Burns, D.G. et al. Dissecting microscopy of the rectal mucosa in health and disease. Dis Colon Rectum 16, 459–467 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02588869

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02588869

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