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What causes hemorrhoids?

A new theory of etiology

Diseases of the Colon & Rectum volume 6, pages 333–344 (1963)Cite this article

Conclusions

There are two main types of hemorrhoids—vascular and mucosal. Vascular piles, occurring most commonly in young men, are caused by straining at defecation, when the anal sphincter relaxes, subjecting the anorectal tissues to a high pressure gradient. The superior hemorrhoidal plexus is filled initially by blood which is forced at very high pressure from the superior rectal venous radicles lying in the lower part of the ampulla of the rectum. Distention of the plexus is limited and is confined to the veins of the upper part of the anal canal by a tube-valve mechanism which also has a similar, but less direct, effect on the inferior rectal veins.

Mucosal piles, usually found in pregnant women and the aged, are caused by deterioration of the function of the anal sphincter muscle.

There is no evidence that any other etiologic factor is of significance in the causation of piles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Harrogate Hospital, Yorkshire, England

    C. W. Graham-Stewart M.S., F.R.C.S.

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  1. C. W. Graham-Stewart M.S., F.R.C.S.
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Abridgment of thesis accepted by the University of London in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Surgery.

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Graham-Stewart, C.W. What causes hemorrhoids?. Dis Colon Rectum 6, 333–344 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02618390

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02618390

Keywords

  • Anal Sphincter
  • Anal Canal
  • Hemorrhoid
  • External Sphincter
  • Mucosal Prolapse