What is the length of the rectum in children and adults? How does the rectum work and how does it work?

Knowledge of the structure, functionality of the rectum gives a person more opportunities to understand how the diseases of this organ are formed, and to learn ways to cure these ailments.

What is the rectum?

The rectum is a constituentgastrointestinal tract. The digestive tract combines the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine. The size is thin about five meters. It flows into the large intestine, the last part of which is the rectum. Its size is no more than one and a half meters.

The rectum, like the last part of the intestine, is in the lower part of the pelvis.

Its name was received due to the fact that it has minor bends.

The indicator of the capacity of the gastrointestinal tract is the rectum. Dimensions, its length vary throughout the life of a person.

In the process of removing the products of processing from the human body, the rectum has one of the main roles. It also performs an important function during the absorption of liquid.

On how the rectum works, the condition of internal organs and systems of the human body depends.

What is the length of the rectum?

This question can be answered only approximately. What is the length of the rectum in a person is determined by age. As you grow up, almost all organs grow. Proceeding from this, one can only approximately answer the question of how long the rectum is. Scientists indicate only mean values. The length of the rectum of an adult is from thirteen to twenty-three centimeters. This is one eighth of the size of the lower part of the intestine.

The length of the rectum of the newborn is small inratio with the size of other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Physicians, just like adults, only know the approximate size. Fifty millimeters is the average length of the rectum. In the representatives of both sexes of man there are no significant differences in the amount.

Divisions of the rectum

With a detailed examination of the structure of the rectum of a person, three formations are conventionally distinguished:

Crotch. It has four boundaries. Also this department of the rectum is divided into two triangles. The first of these is genitourinary. Men have a canal for urination in it. In women, the vagina, respectively, joins the canal. In the anal triangle, regardless of gender, there is an anus.
Anus. This is the final part of the gastrointestinal tract and rectum, respectively. The aperture of the passage is visually similar to the slot leading to the channel. The shape of the posterior opening in the male and female has differences. The male anus is like a funnel. A female - either completely flat and flat, or bulging forward.
Skin around the anus. It differs in color from the rest of the epidermis. Also around the anus, the skin is strongly wrinkled. The reason for this is the external sphincter. The back passage has a diameter of three to six centimeters, the length - up to five. The anal opening and rectum have blood vessels and nerve endings, which allow you to regulate defecation (the process of excretion of feces) of the body.

Sphincters

The rectum is divided into two sphincters -involuntary and arbitrary. The first is inside the body. It serves as a separator for the intermediate bend and the final part of the rectum. There is an involuntary sphincter from the musculature placed on a circle. Sizes range from one and a half to three and a half centimeters. In men, the involuntary sphincter is thicker than in the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity.

An arbitrary sphincter is located outside. He is under the control of man. The sphincter is a striated musculature, coming from the muscles of the perineum. Size - from twenty-five millimeters to fifty.

Features and length of the rectum in women

Comparing the anatomy of both sexes, colossal differences can not be detected. The length of the rectum in men and women is the same. The weak half of humanity, however, has a number of anatomical differences.

In the female body, the rectum is located in theclose proximity to the vagina, namely placed in front of it. Of course, there is an interlayer between them. However, it is so thin that it can not withstand the migration of purulent and tumor processes from one organ to another.

In view of these female anatomical featuresoften representatives of the weaker sex suffer from rectal-vaginal fistulas. They are the result of injuries or strong gaps in the perineum at the time of the birth of the child.

Functions

The main function of the rectum is the elimination of waste products from the body. The process of defecation is regulated by human consciousness.

The next most important function, after excretionfecal masses, is the absorption of fluid. About four liters of water a day is returned to the human body during processing, pressing and dehydration of feces. In addition to water, the rectal mucosa absorbs minerals and trace elements and thus reverses them.

Also, the rectum has a reservoir functionrights. This is explained by the following: feces are collected in the ampulla of the gut. As a result, there is pressure on its walls. They stretch, a nervous impulse is sent, indicating the need for the beginning of defecation.

Due to its importance, the rectum mustnormally work. She is very sensitive to various kinds of painful sensations and conditions. For example, constipation provokes stasis of feces. And this, in turn, leads to intoxication of the human body. Also, at the end of the fermentation of processed foods, relaxation of the intestine is possible.

The operation of the rectum

As already mentioned, the main task of the rectum- is the excretion of stool, toxins and other harmful substances from the human body. From its correct operation depends the functionality of the entire digestive system. In the rectum, all unnecessary substances accumulate, and then are eliminated.

In case of malfunctioning, all these wastes rot, gathering together and thereby poisoning the body. It is therefore extremely important to monitor the health of the rectum.

Conditionally, the operation of the rectum is divided intostatic and dynamic. The first is the accumulation, as well as retention of stool and harmful substances. When the excrement is collected in the gut, it becomes wider, the folds of the mucous extend. Harmful substances, due to the anal press and tightly compressed walls, fill the entire length of the rectum. The photo above contains information on the direction of their removal. A spontaneous release of gases and waste of the intestine is prevented by the anal sphincter.

Dynamic work consists in deducingaccumulated harmful substances from the human body. The process of bowel movement is called defecation. The moment when it should occur is realized through nerve endings. It happens that a person has the urge to defecate, and the rectum is actually empty. Such situations occur when a person has disrupted the work of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, this indicates the occurrence or development of a variety of diseases.

Human bowel flaws

Unfortunately, rectal malformations develop up tobirth. Various factors can become the reasons, and there is no sense in listing them. Basically, two parts of the intestine are affected: the perineum and the anus. The most common defects are:

Stenosis (constriction).
Cloaca.
Atresia (infection).
Fistulas are chronic inflammatory processes.

Congenital malformations without fistulabecome noticeable after the birth of the baby, during the first day. The cause of this ailment is the small patency of the intestine. Symptoms of malformation include neglect of food, nausea, vomiting and overexcitation.

The anal opening of the doctor is recognized by the doctorimmediately after birth. However, for accurate diagnosis, examinations will be necessary. Often, this defect is a consequence of the formation of fistulas on the perineum or in the urogenital system. The main symptoms are the excretion of feces through the vagina. Already proceeding from the certain sizes, the doctor appoints methods of treatment. Diagnosis of the fistula is performed with the help of X-ray studies. This procedure is called "fistulography."

It is performed by an x-ray physician together withthe surgeon. A survey is conducted to report an allergic reaction to iodine. Before the procedure from the fistula with the syringe displays its contents. The fistula duct is washed. Then a catheter is inserted into the fistulous opening, through which a contrast agent (containing iodine) is introduced. The volume of radiocontrast fluid directly depends on the size of the fistula. It must be completely filled with contrast medium.

After injection, the fistula opening closesgauze ball and sealed with a band-aid. X-rays are being taken. The radiopaque substance is eliminated, or it follows on its own. In some cases, the procedure is possible under anesthesia.

In cases of diagnosing nonspecific atresia,the child is immediately sent for surgery. In some situations, surgical intervention is delayed until the age of two. These include vaginal and vestibular fistulas. Before reaching the necessary age, the child eats in accordance with a special diet, which includes products that have laxative effect. And the emptying of the intestine takes place through enemas.

Pathology in the form of a narrowing of the rectumis diagnosed with the help of proctography and rectoscopy. Most of the treatment consists of nutrition according to diet and bougie. The latter is an introduction to the affected organ of a flexible or rigid rod for the purpose of stretching the intestine. The input tool increases in diameter every time. And thus, the rectum opening is gradually stretching. The number of procedures varies individually.

Pathology in the form of congenital cloaca proneonly girls. This defect is as follows: the urethra, the vagina and the entire length of the rectum are united in the common canal. In women, this pathology can be eliminated only through surgical intervention.

Proceeding from the long-term statistics, physiciansare compelled to agree with the fact - any damage to the intestine is vitally dangerous for the human body. Especially fraught with internal gaps. Only a timely appeal to a specialist will save lives and will not cause any inconvenience in the future.

Symptoms of rectum disease

Each disease has certain symptoms. But nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the frequently occurring signs.

If any of these symptoms appear, you should urgently contact a specialist:

Pain in the anal canal.
Feeling of something foreign in the rectum.
Discharge from the rectum.
Bleeding.
Constipation.
Incontinence of stool and gases.
Itching of the anal opening.

It is worth noting that some diseases of the rectum have the property of developing at first time without any symptoms.

Diseases and their treatment

Diseases of the rectum, no doubt very intimatea question to discuss which is relevant only with a specialist or a close person. As stated earlier, not paying attention and enduring threatens not only complication, but also death. And in time the treatment started gives an excellent opportunity for a full recovery.

Common rectal diseases:

Proctitis - inflammation of the rectal mucosa. As soon as the disease originated in the human body, symptoms will appear immediately. Signs of proctitis include: diarrhea, pain, false urge to defecate, the presence of mucus and blood streaks in feces. The causes of the appearance of the disease are great. The treatment process is based on the elimination of the symptoms of proctitis and the reasons for its occurrence.
Prolapse of the rectum. The disease is also known as hernia. It consists in the exit of the rectum beyond the borders of the anus. In addition, its fixing is broken. Frequent prolapse of the rectum is accompanied by bleeding. Treatment - exclusively through surgery.
Anal fissure. Symptoms of the disease are cutting pain during bowel movements, scanty bleeding upon completion of defecation. It is quite possible to diagnose an anal fissure when examining the rectal lumen. If the disease has passed into the chronic stage, surgical treatment will be required for the treatment.
Polyposes are non-malignant tumors,located in the lumen of the rectum. The disease does not cause inconvenience to a person, and he simply does not notice it. Polyposis reveals itself in case of injury or attainment of large size. This is expressed through anal bleeding. Treatment of polyps is a surgical removal.
Coccygodynia - difficult to diagnose,because the pain in the rectum is not accompanied by visual evidence of its defeat. Activators of the disease - injuries and muscle spasms, forcing the anus to go up. During the treatment of coccygodynia, the patient feels psychologically uncomfortable, so it involves the presence of a psychotherapist, a neurologist or a neurosurgeon.
Hemorrhoids - straight varicose veinsguts, namely in the anus. The two main symptoms of this disease of the rectum are bloody discharge and loss of nodes from the anus. Also, in addition to the listed signs of hemorrhoids, there is a feeling of heaviness and the presence of a foreign body in the rectum, itching, burning and pain in the anus, painful bowel movements. Enlarged parts of the veins prevent normal excretion of fecal masses, are injured and thrombose.

The causes of the disease are varied: laxatives, frequent use of enemas, oral contraceptives, excessive hygiene of the anus, unbalanced nutrition, anal sex, regular cycling, riding, motorcycle, pregnancy. Often, this disease affects people whose professions involve sedentary work, for example, drivers, programmers.

Currently, hemorrhoid treatment hasmany ways. In each individual case, the specialist selects the necessary methodology that will cure the disease, as well as minimize the pain and inconvenience. However, it is worth noting that quick and painless healing is possible only in the early stages. Hemorrhoids tend to develop very quickly, and, as a result, you will have to lie on the operating table under the surgeon's knife. And then follow the strict rules of the postoperative period.

Paraproctitis is a purulent inflammatory process,formed on the tissue surrounding the anal canal. Characteristic features of the disease - sharp pulsating pain in the perineal region, anal seals, local redness and fever. Treatment of this disease of the rectum is possible only with the help of surgery. And at the wrong time, medical intervention threatens with generalization of the disease and fever. Chronic paraproctitis is a fistula of the rectum, since the inflammatory process is accompanied by a fistula, which breaks through the intestine or the skin in the anus. At this stage of the disease, healing is the treatment of a fistula in the acute stage and its operational elimination after the inflammatory processes become less active.
Crayfish. In itself, the disease does not inspire hope, plus everything is extremely dangerous because of the asymptomatic occurrence in the early stages. A person discovers the first symptoms at the moment when the disease struck a significant area. Cancer symptoms are pain and foreign body sensation in the anal canal. Upon detection of these signs of the disease, only radical treatment is possible. Proceeding from this, it is not necessary to neglect minor inconveniences in the area of the anus or rectum. Do not hesitate and consult a doctor.

There is still a great many diseases of the rectum. They are much rarer, but this does not mean that they are less dangerous.