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Examination of the anal canal is important to evaluate several common patient complaints relating to the anus including itching, pain, and bleeding. While it is possible to examine parts of this area with flexible instruments or a rigid rectosigmoidoscope, the only method that will give a consistent clear view of the anal canal is anoscopy.1 To properly perform this examination, it is necessary to thoroughly understand the anatomy, be aware of the possible causes of the symptoms you are evaluating, use the appropriate equipment, and position the patient correctly.
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It is necessary to understand the anatomy of the anal canal in order to evaluate the patient's signs and symptoms properly. The anatomy can be divided into topical anatomy and major supporting structures.2 The topical anatomy is depicted in Figure 70-1.
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Perineal skin covers the perineum, is fully innervated, and includes both hair follicles and apocrine glands. It can be grossly distinguished from the anoderm surrounding the anal canal by the visible hair. The anoderm is specialized squamous epithelium that lines the majority of the anal canal. It is fully innervated but does not have apocrine glands or hair follicles. This epithelium is very thin, elastic, and if destroyed by surgery or infection may relate to stricture formation during healing.
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Looking into the anal canal, the anoderm can be seen to end in an irregular line called the dentate line. This is a demarcation of anoderm to transition zone mucosa. Proximal to the dentate line there is no longer cutaneous sensation. This allows minor therapeutic procedures like banding or suture ligation to be done without an anesthetic agent. It is also the reason that internal hemorrhoids do not routinely cause pain. The transition zone continues proximally for a variable length of 6 to 12 mm before it becomes the rectal mucosa. The junction of the transitional zone with the rectal mucosa is not visible to the naked eye. The rectal mucosa decreases in diameter in the area of the transitional zone. The mucosa appears to be bunched together in columns called the Columns of Morgagni at the level of the dentate line. Crypts are formed between the columns as the transitional zone becomes the dentate line. Under the anoderm in the crypts are multiple anal glands. Blockage of the anal glands by foreign material leads to infection. Blockage or primary infection of the glands causes the majority of abscesses that arise around the anus. The crypts also are areas to look for foreign bodies such as fish or chicken bones.
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External hemorrhoids are located in the left-lateral, right-posterior, and right-anterior portions of the distal anal canal and are covered with anoderm. Their normal position is outside the anal canal and they can be examined by gently spreading the buttocks. The internal ...