Abstract
Although much of our fundamental understanding of the anatomy of the colon, rectum, and anus comes from the efforts of researchers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, comprehensive observations of this region had been made as early as 1543 by Andreas Vesalius through anatomic dissections. However, anatomy of this region, especially that of the rectum and anal canal, is so intrinsically related to its physiology that much can be appreciated only in the living. Thus, it is a region in which the surgeon has an advantage over the anatomist through in vivo dissection, physiologic investigation, and endoscopic examination. However, anatomy of the pelvis is also challenging to the surgeon: the pelvis is a narrow space, packed with intestinal, urologic, gynecologic, vascular, and neural structures, all confined within a rigid and deep osseous-muscular cage. Therefore, detailed anatomy of this region is difficult to learn in the setting of an operating room and it demands not only observations in vivo, but historical reviews, anatomy laboratory studies, including dissections of humans and animals, with in-depth descriptions and drawings and sometimes associated with physiologic evaluation. Based on these studies, some controversial concepts of the anatomy, especially of the rectum and anal canal, have been actually changed. In addition, virtual reality models have been designed to improve visualization of threedimensional structures and more properly teach anatomy, pathology, and surgery of the anorectum and pelvic floor.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References
Vesalii Bruxellensis Andreae, de Humani corporis fabrica. De Recti intestini musculis. 1st ed. 1543:228.
Church JM, Raudkivi PJ, Hill GL. The surgical anatomy of the rectum—a review with particular relevance to the hazards of rectal mobilisation. Int J Colorectal Dis 1987;2:158–166.
Shafik A. A concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation. Dis Colon Rectum 1987;30:970–982.
Klosterhalfen B, Vogel P, Rixen H, Mitterman C. Topography of the inferior rectal artery. A possible cause of chronic, primary anal fissure. Dis Colon Rectum 1989;32:43–52.
Stoss F. Investigations of the muscular architecture of the rectosigmoid junction in humans. Dis Colon Rectum 1990;33:378–383.
Levi AC, Borghi F, Garavoglia M. Development of the anal canal muscles. Dis Colon Rectum 1991;34:262–266.
Lunniss PJ, Phillips RKS. Anatomy and function of the anal longitudinal muscle. Br J Surg 1992;79:882–884.
Tjandra JJ, Milsom JW, Stolfi VM, et al. Endoluminal ultrasound defines anatomy of the anal canal and pelvic floor. Dis Colon Rectum 1992;35:465–470.
Dobson HD, Pearl RK, Orsay CP, et al. Virtual reality: new method of teaching anorectal and pelvic floor anatomy. Dis Colon Rectum 2003;46:349–352.
Milligan ETC, Morgan CN. Surgical anatomy of the anal canal: with special reference to anorectal fistulae. Lancet 1934;2:1150–1156.
Goligher JC, Leacock AG, Brossy JJ. The surgical anatomy of the anal canal. Br J Surg 1955;43:51–61.
Garavoglia M, Borghi F, Levi AC. Arrangement of the anal striated musculature. Dis Colon Rectum 1993;36:10–15.
Nivatvongs S, Gordon PH. Surgical anatomy. In: Gordon PH, Nivatvongs S, eds. Principle and Practice of Surgery for the Colon, Rectum and Anus. St. Louis: Quality Medical Publishing; 1992:3–37.
Shafik A. A new concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation. II. Anatomy of the levator ani muscle with special reference to puborectalis. Invest Urol 1975;12:175–182.
Oh C, Kark AE. Anatomy of the external anal sphincter. Br J Surg 1972;59:717–723.
Bollard RC, Gardiner A, Lindow S, Phillips K, Duthie GS. Normal female anal sphincter: difficulties in interpretation explained. Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:171–175.
Fritsch H, Brenner E, Lienemann A, Ludwikowski B. Anal sphincter complex: reinterpreted morphology and its clinical relevance. Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:188–194.
Morren GL, Beets‐Tan RGH, van Engelshoven JMA. Anatomy of the anal canal and perianal structures as defined by phased‐array magnetic resonance imaging. Br J Surg 2001;88:1506–1512.
Williams AB, Bartram CI, Halligan S, Marshall MM, Nicholls RJ, Kmiot WA. Endosonographic anatomy of the normal anal compared with endocoil magnetic resonance imaging. Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:176–183.
Jorge JMN, Habr‐Gama A. The value of sphincter asymmetry index in anal incontinence. Int J Colorectal Dis 2000;15:303–310.
Swash M. Histopathology of pelvic floor muscles in pelvic floor disorders. In: Henry MM, Swash M, eds. Coloproctology and the Pelvic Floor. London: Butterworth‐Heinemann; 1992:173–183.
Courtney H. Anatomy of the pelvic diaphragm and anorectal musculature as related to sphincter preservation in anorectal surgery. Am J Surg 1950;79:155–173.
Shafik A. A new concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation. III. The longitudinal anal muscle: anatomy and role in sphincter mechanism. Invest Urol 1976;13:271–277.
Lawson JON. Pelvic anatomy. II. Anal canal and associated sphincters. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1974;54:288–300.
Roux C. Contribution to the knowledge of the anal muscles in man. Arch Mikr Anat 1881;19:721–723.
Haas PA, Fox TA. The importance of the perianal connective tissue in the surgical anatomy and function of the anus. Dis Colon Rectum 1977;20:303–313.
Gordon PH. Anorectal anatomy and physiology. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2001;30:1–13.
Lilius HG. Investigation of human fetal anal ducts and intramuscular glands and a clinical study of 150 patients. Acta Chir Scand (Suppl) 1968;383:1–88.
Chiari H. Über die Nalen Divertik Fel der Rectum‐schleimhaut und Ihre Beziehung zu den anal fisteln. Wien Med Press 1878;19:1482.
Parks AG. Pathogenesis and treatment of fistula‐in‐ano. BMJ 1961;1:463–469.
Abel AL. The pecten band: pectenosis and pectenectomy. Lancet 1932;1:714–718.
Goligher J. Surgery of the Anus, Rectum and Colon. London: Bailliére Tindall; 1984:1–47.
Abramson DJ. The valves of Houston in adults. Am J Surg 1978;136:334–336.
Cawthorn SJ, Parums DV, Gibbs NM, et al. Extent of mesorectal spread and involvement of lateral resection margin as prognostic factors after surgery for rectal cancer. Lancet 1990;335:1055–1059.
Heald RJ, Husband EM, Ryall RD. The mesorectum in rectal cancer surgery—the clue to pelvic recurrence? Br J Surg 1982;69:613–616.
Boxall TA, Smart PJG, Griffiths JD. The blood‐supply of the distal segment of the rectum in anterior resection. Br J Surg 1963;50:399–404.
Nano M, Dal Corso HM, Lanfranco G, Ferronato M, Hornung JP. Contribution to the surgical anatomy of the ligaments of the rectum. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:1592–1598.
Quirke P, Durdey P, Dixon MF, Williams NS. Local recurrence of rectal adenocarcinoma due to inadequate surgical resection. Histopathological study of lateral tumour spread and surgical excision. Lancet 1986;1:996–998.
Jorge JMN, Habr‐Gama A, Souza AS Jr, Kiss DR, Nahas P, Pinotti HW. Rectal surgery complicated by massive presacral hemorrhage. Arq Bras Circ Dig 1990;5:92–95.
Wang Q, Shi W, Zhao Y, Zhou W, He Z. New concepts in severe presacral hemorrhage during proctectomy. Arch Surg 1985;120:1013–1020.
Zama N, Fazio VW, Jagelman DG, Lavery IC, Weakley FL, Church JM. Efficacy of pelvic packing in maintaining hemostasis after rectal excision for cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 1988;31:923–928.
Crapp AR, Cuthbertson AM. William Waldeyer and the rectosacral fascia. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1974;138:252–256.
Tobin CE, Benjamin JA. Anatomical and surgical restudy of Denonvilliers’ fascia. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1945;80: 373–388.
Lindsey I, Guy RJ, Warren BF, Mortensen NJ. Anatomy of Denonvilliers’ fascia and pelvic nerves, impotence, and implications for the colorectal surgeon. Br J Surg 2000;87: 1288–1299.
Michels NA, Siddharth P, Kornblith PL, Park WW. The variant blood supply to the small and large intestines: its importance in regional resections. A new anatomic study based on four hundred dissections with a complete review of the literature. J Int Coll Surg 1963;39:127–170.
Ayoub SF. Arterial supply of the human rectum. Acta Anat 1978;100:317–327.
Didio LJA, Diaz‐Franco C, Schemainda R, Bezerra AJC. Morphology of the middle rectal arteries: a study of 30 cadaveric dissections. Surg Radiol Anat 1986;8:229–236.
Bernstein WC. What are hemorrhoids and what is their relationship to the portal venous system? Dis Colon Rectum 1983;26:829–834.
Miscusi G, Masoni L, Dell'Anna A, Montori A. Normal lymphatic drainage of the rectum and the anal canal revealed by lymphoscintigraphy. Coloproctology 1987;9:171–174.
Block IR, Enquist IF. Studies pertaining to local spread of carcinoma of the rectum in females. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1961;112:41–46.
Gerstenberg TC, Nielsen ML, Clausen S, Blaabgerg J, Lindenberg J. Bladder function after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum for anorectal cancer. Am J Surg 1980;91:81–86.
Orkin BA. Rectal carcinoma: treatment. In: Beck DE, Wexner SD, eds. Fundamentals of Anorectal Surgery. New York: McGraw‐Hill; 1992:260–369.
Balslev I, Harling H. Sexual dysfunction following operation for carcinoma of the rectum. Dis Colon Rectum 1983;26:785.
Danzi M, Ferulano GP, Abate S, Califano G. Male sexual function after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 1983;26:665–668.
Weinstein M, Roberts M. Sexual potency following surgery for rectal carcinoma. A follow‐up of 44 patients. Ann Surg 1977;185:295–300.
Bauer JJ, Gerlent IM, Salky B, Kreel I. Sexual dysfunction following proctectomy for benign disease of the colon and rectum. Ann Surg 1983;197:363–367.
Walsh PC, Schlegel PN. Radical pelvic surgery with preservation of sexual function. Ann Surg 1988;208:391–400.
Lee ECG, Dowling BL. Perimuscular excision of the rectum for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A conservative technique. Br J Surg 1972;59:29–32.
Metcalf AM, Dozois RR, Kelly KA. Sexual function in women after proctocolectomy. Ann Surg 1986;204:624–627.
Duthie HL, Gairns FW. Sensory nerve endings and sensation in the anal region in man. Br J Surg 1960;47:585–595.
Kaiser AM, Ortega AE. Anorectal anatomy. Surg Clin North Am 2002;82:1125–1138.
Wendell‐ Smith CP. Studies on the morphology of the pelvic floor [Ph.D. thesis]. University of London; 1967.
Paramore RH. The Hunterian lectures on the evolution of the pelvic floor in non‐mammalian vertebrates and pronograde mammals. Lancet 1910;1:1393–1399, 1459–1467.
Percy JP, Swash M, Neill ME, Parks AG. Electrophysiological study of motor nerve supply of pelvic floor. Lancet 1981;1:16–17.
Russell KP. Anatomy of the pelvic floor, rectum and anal canal. In: Smith LE, ed. Practical Guide to Anorectal Testing. New York: Igaku‐Shoin Medical Publishers; 1991:744–747.
Parks AG, Porter NH, Hardcastle J. The syndrome of the descending perineum. Proc R Soc Med 1966;59:477–482.
Bannister JJ, Gibbons C, Read NW. Preservation of faecal continence during rises in intra‐abdominal pressure: is there a role for the flap valve? Gut 1987;28:1242–1245.
Bartolo DCC, Roe AM, Locke‐Edmunds JC, Virjee J, Mortensen NJ. Flap‐valve theory of anorectal continence. Br J Surg 1986;73:1012–1014.
Fraser ID, Condon RE, Schulte WJ, Decosse JJ, Cowles VE. Longitudinal muscle of muscularis externa in human and nonhuman primate colon. Arch Surg 1981;116:61–63.
Guyton AC, ed. Textbook of Medical Physiology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1986:754–769.
Kumar D, Phillips SF. The contribution of external ligamentous attachments to function of the ileocecal junction. Dis Colon Rectum 1987;30:410–416.
Wakeley CPG. The position of the vermiform appendix as ascertained by an analysis of 10,000 cases. J Anat 1983;67: 277–283.
Skandalakis JE, Gray SW, Ricketts R. The colon and rectum. In: Skandalakis JE, Gray SW, eds. Embryology for Surgeons. The Embryological Basis for the Treatment of Congenital Anomalies. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1994:242–281.
O'Beirne J, ed. New Views of the Process of Defecation and Their Application to the Pathology and Treatment of Diseases of the Stomach, Bowels and Other Organs. Dublin: Hodges and Smith; 1833.
Hyrtl J. Handbuch der topographischen Anatomie und ihrer praktisch medicinisch‐chirurgischen Anwendungen. II. Band, 4. Aufl. Wien: Braumüller; 1860.
Mayo WJ. A study of the rectosigmoid. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1917;25:616–621.
Cantlie J. The sigmoid flexure in health and disease. J Trop Med Hyg 1915;18:1–7.
Otis WJ. Some observations on the structure of the rectum. J Anat Physiol 1898;32:59–63.
Balli R. The sphincters of the colon. Radiology 1939;33: 372–376.
Ewing MR. The significance of the level of the peritoneal reflection in the surgery of rectal cancer. Br J Surg 1952;39:495–500.
Stelzner F. Die Verschlubsysteme am Magen‐Darm‐Kanal und ihre chirurgische Bedeutung. Acta Chir Austriaca 1987;19: 565–569.
Sonneland J, Anson BJ, Beaton LE. Surgical anatomy of the arterial supply to the colon from the superior mesenteric artery based upon a study of 600 specimens. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1958;106:385–398.
Steward JA, Rankin FW. Blood supply of the large intestine. Its surgical considerations. Arch Surg 1933;26:843–891.
Griffiths JD. Surgical anatomy of the blood supply of the distal colon. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1956;19:241–256.
Haller A. The large intestine. In: Cullen W, ed. First Lines of Physiology. A reprint of the 1786 edition (Sources of Science 32). New York: Johnson Reprint Corporation; 1966: 139–140.
Drummond H. Some points relating to the surgical anatomy of the arterial supply of the large intestine. Proc R Soc Med (Proctology) 1913;7:185–193.
Drummond H. The arterial supply of the rectum and pelvic colon. Br J Surg 1914;1:677–685.
Meyers CB. Griffiths’ point: critical anastomosis at the splenic flexure. Am J Roentgenol 1976;126:77.
Landreneau RJ, Fry WJ. The right colon as a target organ of non‐occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Arch Surg 1990;125: 591–594.
Longo WE, Ballantyne GH, Gursberg RJ. Ischemic colitis: patterns and prognosis. Dis Colon Rectum 1992;35:726–730.
Sudeck P. Über die Gefassversorgung des Mastdarmes in Hinsicht auf die Operative Gangran. Munch Med Wochenschr 1907;54:1314.
Griffiths JD. Extramural and intramural blood supply of the colon. BMJ 1961;1:322–326.
Lindstrom BL. The value of the collateral circulation from the inferior mesenteric artery in obliteration of the lower abdominal aorta. Acta Chir Scand 1950;1:677–685.
Fisher DF, Fry WI. Collateral mesenteric circulation. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1987;164:487–492.
Moskowitz M, Zimmerman H, Felson H. The meandering mesenteric artery of the colon. AJR 1964;92:1088–1099.
Jameson JK, Dobson JF. The lymphatics of the colon. Proc R Soc Med 1909;2:149–172.
Nobles VP. The development of the human anal canal. J Anat 1984;138:575.
Duhamel B. From the mermaid to anal imperforation: The syndrome of caudal regression. Arch Dis Child 1961;36:152–155.
Moore TC, Lawrence EA. Congenital malformations of rectum and anus. II. Associated anomalies encountered in a series of 120 cases. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1952;95:281.
Anderson RC, Reed SC. The likelihood of congenital malformations. J Lancet 1954;74:175–179.
Gough MH. Congenital abnormalities of the anus and rectum. Arch Dis Child 1961;36:146–151.
Santulli TV, Schullinger JN, Amoury RA. Malformations of the anus and rectum. Surg clin North Am 1965;45:1253–1271.
Brown SS, Schoen AH. Congenital anorectal stricture. J Pediatr 1950;36:746–750.
Romolo JL. Congenital lesions: intussusception and volvulus. In: Zuidema GD, ed. Shackelford's surgery of the alimentary tract. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1991:45–51.
McPherson AG, Trapnell JE, Airth GR. Duplication of the colon. Br J Surg 1969;56:138.
Benson CD. Surgical implications of Meckel's diverticulum. In: Ravitch MM, Welch KJ, Benson CD, et al., eds. Pediatric Surgery. 3rd ed. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers; 1979:955.
Louw JH. Investigations into the etiology and congenital atresia of the colon. Dis Colon Rectum 1964;7:471.
Hirschsprung H. Fälle von angeborener Pylorusstenose beobachtet bei Säulingen. Jahrb Kinderh 1888;27:61–69.
Finney JMT. Congenital idiopathic dilatation of the colon. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1908:624–643.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Jorge, J.M.N., Habr‐Gama, A. (2007). Anatomy and Embryology of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus. In: Wolff, B.G., et al. The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36374-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36374-5_1
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-24846-2
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-36374-5
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine