Navigate

Anus: Quick Overview, Disorders, Tests & Treatments



What is Anus?

The anus is the opening where the gastrointestinal tract ends and exits the body. The anus starts at the bottom of the rectum, the last portion of the colon (large intestine). The anorectal line separates the anus from the rectum.

Tough tissue called fascia surrounds the anus and attaches it to nearby structures.

Circular muscles called the external sphincter ani form the wall of the anus and hold it closed. Glands release fluid into the anus to keep its surface moist.

A plate-like band of muscles, called the levator ani muscles, surround the anus and form the floor of the pelvis. A network of veins lines the skin of the anus.

Anus Disorders

  • Anal cancer
  • Anal fissure
  • Anal itching
  • Anorectal abscess
  • Anorectal fistula
  • Foreign objects in the anus and rectum
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Levator syndrome
  • Pilonidal disease
  • Proctitis
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Rectal prolapse

Anus Tests

  • Physical examination: A doctor may inspect the outside of the anus, and insert a gloved finger to feel for abnormal areas on the inside of the anus.
  • Sigmoidoscopy: An endoscope (flexible tube with a lighted camera on its tip) is inserted into the anus and moved into the colon. Sigmoidoscopy can only reach part of the colon for viewing.
  • Colonoscopy: An endoscope is inserted into the anus, and the entire colon is viewed to look for problems.
  • Fistulography (fistulogram): A liquid that helps improve image contrast is injected into an abnormal opening in or near the anus, and X-ray films are taken. Fistulography can detect an abnormal connection (fistula) between the anus and skin.

Anus Diagnosis

  • A doctor’s evaluation
  • Anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
  • Possibly barium enema
To diagnose disorders of the anus and rectum, a doctor inspects the skin around the anus for any abnormality. With a gloved finger, the doctor probes the rectum. For women, this is often done along with a manual examination of the vagina.

Next, a doctor looks into the anus and rectum with a 3- to 10-inch (about 7- to 25-centimeter) rigid viewing tube (anoscope or proctoscope). A longer, flexible tube (sigmoidoscope) may then be inserted so that the doctor can observe as much as 2 or more feet of the large intestine. An anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is generally uncomfortable but not painful. However, if the area in or around the anus is painful because of an abnormal condition, the doctor may give a local, regional, or even general anesthetic before proceeding with the examination. Sometimes a cleansing enema to rid the lower part of the large intestine of stool is given before sigmoidoscopy. Tissue and stool samples for microscopic examination and cultures may be obtained during sigmoidoscopy. A barium enema x-ray may also be done.

Anus Treatments

  • Antibiotics: These may be used to fight infections of the anus caused by bacteria.
  • Antiviral medications: Medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are used to treat anus infections caused by the herpes viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2.
  • Incision and drainage: Serious skin infections (abscesses) in or around the anus may require this surgical procedure to drain the infected fluid.
  • Anus surgery: Cancer of the anus, anus warts, abscess, or fistula may require surgery to correct the problem.
  • Anus wart treatments: Doctors may use surgery, freezing (cryotherapy), a laser or heat probe, or other treatments to remove warts from the anus.
  • Stool softeners: Constipation may cause hard stools and painful bowel movements. Over-the-counter or prescription stool softeners can relieve these symptoms.
  • Fiber: Increasing fiber in the diet or taking fiber supplements can improve constipation and reduce bleeding from hemorrhoids.
  • Hemorrhoid cream: Over-the-counter or prescription topical medicines can relieve the itching and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids.
  • Hemorrhoid banding: A doctor ties rubber bands around external hemorrhoids, causing the tissue to slowly die and fall off.
  • Hemorrhoid procedures: A doctor may use a laser, heat probe, injections, or other treatment to destroy hemorrhoids and reduce symptoms.
  • Steroid cream: Itching in the anus often responds to over-the-counter creams containing hydrocortisone or a similar steroid medicine.
    Related Post
  1. Listeriosis: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention & Treatments

    What is Listeriosis? Listeriosis is an infection that usually develops after eating food contaminated by…

  2. Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

    What is Kidney Stones? A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the…

  3. Acute Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors & Treatments

    What is Gastritis? Gastritis is a group of diseases that cause inflammation of the lining…

  4. Serotonin: understanding the effect in our health

    What is serotonin? Serotonin is created by a biochemical conversion process which combines tryptophan, a…

  5. Bladder Cancer: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

    What is Bladder cancer? Bladder cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the bladder,…

  6. Jaundice: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

    Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a term used to describe a yellowish tinge to…

  7. Ulcerative colitis: Symptoms, Causes, Risks & Treatments

    What is Ulcerative colitis? Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) in…

  8. Difference between Pink Eye and Dry Eye

    What is Pink Eye? Pink eye also called conjunctivitis: is redness and inflammation of the…

  9. Pink Eye: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

    Pinkeye (also referred to as conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous…

  10. Dry eye syndrome: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

    Dry eye syndrome, or dry eye disease, is a common condition that occurs when the…

  11. What is Reactive Arthritis

    The prognosis for reactive arthritis varies. Most people recover in three to four months, but…

  12. Lentivirus: History and Characteristics

    What is Lentivirus? Lentivirus is a genus of retroviruses that cause chronic and deadly diseases characterized by…