NURS 203 Chapter Notes - Chapter 23: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Pubic Symphysis, Anal Canal
Document Summary
Jarvis: physical examination & health assessment, 2nd canadian. This section discusses key points about the structure and function of the anus, rectum, and prostate. The anal canal is the outlet of the gastrointestinal tract. About 3. 8 cm long in adults, it is lined with modified skin that merges with the rectal mucosa. In addition to autonomic nerves, numerous somatic sensory nerves are present and make the area sensitive to pain. The external sphincter provides voluntary control for the expulsion of feces and gas: anal columns in the rectum end at the anorectal junction and contain an artery and a vein. The anal valve is at the lower end of each column, and the anal crypt is a small recess above the anal valve. The rectum is the 12-cm long distal portion of the large intestine. It extends from the sigmoid colon to the anal canal. The peritoneum covers only the upper two- thirds of the rectum.
