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Diseases of the Rectum and Anus

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Abstract

Anorectal disorders represent some of the most common, yet poorly understood conditions in primary care. Any discussion of these conditions requires a thorough understanding of the anorectal anatomy (Figs. 91.1, 91.2). The anal canal spans 2 to 3 cm from the lower border of the anal crypts at the dentate line to the anal verge (external skin).1 The anal canal is lined with a specialized squamous epithelium called anoderm.1 Sensory innervation from the external skin extends upward to the dentate line. Most patients have no sensation above the dentate line and are exquisitely sensitive below it.

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Authors
  1. Thomas J. Zuber
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA

    Robert B. Taylor M.D. (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  2. Department of Family Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA

    Alan K. David M.D. (The Fred Lazarus, Jr., Professor and Director) (The Fred Lazarus, Jr., Professor and Director)

  3. Department of Family Medicine, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA

    Thomas A. Johnson Jr. M.D. (Chairman) (Chairman)

  4. Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    D. Melessa Phillips M.D. (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  5. Department of Family Medicine, University of California—Irvine College of Medicine, Orange, CA, 92697, USA

    Joseph E. Scherger M.D., M.P.H. (Associate Dean for Primary Care and Chair) (Associate Dean for Primary Care and Chair)

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Zuber, T.J. (1998). Diseases of the Rectum and Anus. In: Taylor, R.B., David, A.K., Johnson, T.A., Phillips, D.M., Scherger, J.E. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2947-4_91

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2947-4_91

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-2949-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2947-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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