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anal canal
The terminal portion of the alimentary canal; ca.4cm in length, begining at the anorectal junction where the rectal ampulla narrows at the level of the U-shaped sling formed by the puborectalis muscle. The canal ends at the anus. The anal canal is collapsed except during passage of feces.
- surrounded by internal & external anal sphincters.
- descends posteroinferiorly between the anococcygeal ligament & the perineal body
Related
large intestine; large bowel
pudendal canal (Alcock canal)
General
anatomic canal
References
- Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th edition, KL Moore &
AF Dalley (eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia,
PA 1999.
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.