Let's learn about an important part of your digestive system: the rectum.

Today we're going to talk about a very important, but sometimes overlooked, part of our body. That's the rectum, or in English, the rectum. This is the part at the end of our digestive system. Let's take a look at what it is, how it works, and what diseases it can cause.

What is the rectum?

Simply put, your rectum is the last part of your large intestine. You know, the large intestine is a long tube. This is where the colon, rectum, and anus are. Your rectum is the last 6 inches of this. Then the anal canal begins. This is the last stop for the food we eat before it passes through our bodies and eventually comes out as waste. When the waste products left over from the digestion of food, called feces, reach the anus from the colon, they collect there until the nerves tell us to go to the toilet.

What is the difference between the Colon and the Rectum?

Your rectum starts where your colon ends. They're both made up of the same things. That is, layers of muscle, layers of tissue, glands that secrete and absorb substances from the inside. However, the colon is much longer. Also, food continues to be digested as it passes through the colon. But by the time it reaches your anus, it has already become solid waste, or stool. What your anus does is hold this waste for a while, absorb more of the water and electrolytes it contains, and store it until it's time to pass it out.

So what is the difference between the rectum and the anus?

The anal canal begins at the end of your rectum. It is the last few centimeters of your large intestine. The anus is where the important muscles that control your bowel movements are located, called the anal sphincters . These are what allow us to hold in and pass stool when we want.

How does the rectum work in our digestive system?

The main function of the rectum is to collect and hold your stool until it's time to pass it. Your rectum relaxes and stretches to accommodate the waste that comes from your colon, like a balloon. That means it makes room for it. When you hold your stool in this way, the rectum absorbs the remaining water and electrolytes in it, making it a little thicker. It also secretes a substance called mucus to help the stool pass more easily. When this is full, the nerves send a signal to the brain that you need to go to the toilet now. That's when we feel the need.

Where is the rectum located?

Your large intestine is located around the small intestine, on the sides of the abdominal cavity. The rectum is located at the end of this large intestine, under the other organs in the abdomen, and is bent towards the anal opening. To be precise, it is located in the pelvic cavity, which is your abdominal area, between the pelvic floor muscles. The upper part of the rectum is connected to the sigmoid colon, and the lower part is connected to the anus.

How long is the rectum?

The rectum is usually between 10 and 15 centimeters long. That's about 5 or 6 inches. But this one is special. When the muscles work to push stool out, it can contract and shorten, like a toy slinky. Like the rest of the large intestine, it's about 3 inches wide. That's about half the width of its length. But it can also dilate, or expand, to temporarily store excess stool, like a reservoir.

What are the parts of the rectum?

The rectum is shaped like a small 'S'. It has two bends. The upper bend, called the sacral flexure , follows the curve of your spine. The lower bend, called the anorectal flexure , marks the transition from the rectum to the anus. These bends help you control your bowel movements (continence).

The rectum is also divided into segments, like a worm's. These segments are separated by horizontal folds in the inner lining, called the valves of Houston .

These three or four chambers in the rectum control the passage of stool. The last chamber is called the rectal ampulla . This is the last storage space before stool comes out. When this chamber is full, stretch receptors in the rectal wall signal the central nervous system that it is time to have a bowel movement. As the pressure builds, it becomes harder to hold back, you know?

What are the common diseases and conditions that affect the rectum?

Diseases of the rectum can affect the lining, muscles, or nerves inside the rectum. This can cause pain and interfere with normal function. Let's look at some of the most common conditions:

• Proctitis: This is an inflammation of the rectum, which can cause swelling and redness. It can be caused temporarily by certain infections, especially sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It can also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Chronic proctitis can also occur due to long-term diseases such as:
• Rectal ulcers: These are painful, open sores. Sometimes these sores can bleed.
• Perianal abscess: This is a painful, pus-filled lump that forms in the anus, anal opening, or surrounding area (perineum).
• Colorectal polyps: Small, fleshy growths (polyps) in the colon and rectum are common. They are not always dangerous. However, some polyps can develop into colorectal cancer.
• Rectal prolapse: Due to weakness of the muscles that hold the rectum in place, the rectum can drop down and protrude into the anal canal, like a telescope.
• Levator syndrome: This condition gets its name from the levator ani muscle that holds the anus in place. It causes occasional pain in the anus. It is usually thought to be caused by spasms in the muscle.
• Fecal incontinence: Problems with the muscles or nerves in the rectum can make it difficult to hold in stool. This can lead to leakage or complete leakage of stool.
• Obstructed defecation: Difficulty passing stool can be caused by physical and psychological factors. This can be due to decreased sensation in the rectum or lack of coordination of the muscles, such as pelvic floor dysfunction .
• Constipation and fecal impaction: Difficulty passing stool and not passing enough stool can cause stool stones to form and become stuck in the rectum.

What are the symptoms that suggest there may be a problem with the rectum?

If you have any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor about your rectal health:

• Seeing blood stains on your underwear or in the toilet (Rectal bleeding).
• Anorectal pain, or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
• Itching of the anal opening or signs of infection around the anal opening.
• Changes in stools, for example, a change in stool color, consistency, or frequency.
• A frequent feeling of needing to defecate (tenesmus) , or difficulty and pain in passing stool (dyschezia) .
• A lump of flesh protruding from the anus (pelvic organ prolapse).

How do doctors check the health of my rectum?

There are several tests that doctors use to examine the rectum. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): This involves a doctor inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. This DRE can be done as part of a routine physical exam or as part of a gynecological exam. It can examine not only your rectum, but also your prostate or cervix through the rectal wall.
• Rectal culture: In this test, a doctor swabs the inside of your rectum with a cotton swab and then cultures the sample to see if there are bacteria or viruses.
• Stool test: A doctor may take a sample of your stool and check it for signs of infection, bleeding, or high white blood cells.
• Anorectal manometry: This test measures how well your muscles and nerves work together to push stool out. A catheter with a balloon attached is inserted into your anus, and the balloon is inflated with warm water. The other end of the catheter is connected to a machine that measures the function of your muscles.
• Defecography: In this test, X-rays or MRIs are taken of your internal organs while you try to have a bowel movement. This is to see how different organs and muscles are working. A medical technician injects a medical substance into your rectum, which you then pass as stool. You do this while sitting in a private photo booth. They watch your organs on a computer screen.
• Barium enema: This is also a type of GI X-ray. It takes fluoroscopic, or video, X-ray pictures of your large intestine, including your rectum. The barium enema is a type of contrast dye. It is put into your rectum like an enema. The black-and-white pictures show these areas clearly.
• Proctoscopy: A proctoscopy is a procedure to look inside your rectum using a short, rigid tube (scope). The proctoscope is a hollow tube with a light and camera at the end. If necessary, a doctor can pass a tool through the tube to take a tissue sample (biopsy).
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: If the doctor needs to look a little further inside, that is, the last part of the large intestine, where it connects to the rectum (your sigmoid colon), a slightly longer tube called a flexible sigmoidoscope may be used. If there is a problem with your colon, itIt could be Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or a gastrointestinal infection. This test requires a bowel prep.

How do I keep my rectum healthy?

While not all rectal diseases can be prevented, you can reduce your risk of developing some by following these simple health habits:

• Practice safe sex: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that affect your anal opening can also infect your rectum. Get your partner tested for STIs, and use safer methods if in doubt.
• A healthy diet promotes healthy bowel movements: Eat less processed foods and more natural foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This can help prevent constipation and straining to pass stools, which can lead to many other problems.
• Get your colonoscopy: A regular colonoscopy is a very important way to check for polyps in the colon and prevent colorectal cancer.
• Don't ignore symptoms: If you have persistent pain, a change in bowel habits, or difficulty passing stool, see a doctor before the condition worsens.

Finally, things to remember

Your rectum is like a very important bridge between your digestive system and your bowel movements. Your colon on one side and your anus on the other can affect the health of your rectum, and in turn, your rectum can be affected.

Rectal problems can be very uncomfortable and even embarrassing. However, the most important thing is to get the help you need. A gastroenterologist or a proctologist can help you diagnose and treat rectal problems. So, don't worry and seek medical advice.

` Rectum, stool, digestion, constipation, anal diseases, colonoscopy