Rectal examination - Citizendia

A rectal examination or rectal exam is an internal examination of the rectum such as by a physician or other healthcare professional. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals A physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor who practices Medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human Health

The digital rectal examination (DRE, Latin palpatio per anum or PPA) is a relatively simple procedure. The patient is placed in a position where the anus is accessible and relaxed (lying on the side, squatting on the examination table, bent over the examination table, etc). The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an Animal 's Digestive tract from the Mouth. The physician inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum through the anus and palpates the insides. A finger is a type of digit, an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the Hands of Humans and other Primates Normally humans have five digits Palpation used as part of a Physical examination in which an object is felt (usually with the hands of a Healthcare practitioner to determine its size shape firmness

The DRE is inadequate as a screening tool for colorectal cancer because it examines less than 10% of the colorectal mucosa; colonoscopy is preferred. Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a Fiber optic However, it's an important part of a general examination, as many tumors or other diseases are made manifest in the distal part of the rectum. In fields of Anatomy, anatomical terms of location are descriptive terms to help identify relative positions or directions within a species The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals

This examination may be used:

for the diagnosis of rectal tumors and other forms of cancer;
in males, for the diagnosis of prostatic disorders, notably tumors and benign prostatic hyperplasia;
for the diagnosis of appendicitis or other examples of an acute abdomen (i. See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled Male (♂ refers to the sex of an organism or part of an organism which produces small mobile Gametes called spermatozoa. The prostate (from Greek προστάτης - prostates, literally "one who stands before" "protector" "guardian" is a See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH) also known as nodular hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy (technically a misnomer or benign enlargement of Diagnosis is the identification by Process of elimination, of the nature of anything Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by Inflammation of the appendix. The term acute abdomen refers to a sudden severe Abdominal pain that is less than 24 hours in duration e. acute abdominal symptoms indicating a serious underlying disease);
for the estimation of the tonicity of the anal sphincter, which may be useful in case of fecal incontinence or neurologic diseases, including traumatic spinal cord injuries;
in females, for gynecological palpations of internal organs
for examination of the hardness and color of the feces (ie. The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an Animal 's Digestive tract from the Mouth. A sphincter is a structure usually a circular Muscle, that normally maintains constriction of a natural body passage or orifice and which relaxes as required by normal physiological Fecal incontinence is the loss of regular control of the Bowels. Female (♀ is the Sex of an Organism, or a part of an organism which produces ova (egg cells Gynaecology or gynecology (see spelling differences) refers to the surgical specialty dealing with health of the female reproductive system ( Uterus in cases of constipation, and fecal impaction);
prior to a colonoscopy or proctoscopy. A fecal impaction is a solid immobile bulk of Stool that can develop in the Rectum as a result of chronic Constipation. Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a Fiber optic Proctoscopy is a common medical procedure in which an instrument called a proctoscope (also known as a rectoscope is used to examine the Anal cavity, Rectum or
to evaluate haemorrhoids

The DRE is frequently combined with an FOBT (fecal occult blood test), which may be useful for diagnosing the etiology of an anemia and/or confirming a gastrointestinal bleed. Hemorrhoids ( AmE) haemorrhoids ( BrE) emerods, or piles are varicosities or swelling and Inflammation Faecal occult blood is a term for Blood present in the Faeces that is not visibly apparent Anemia ( AmE) or anæmia/anaemia ( BrE) (from the Ancient Greek grc-Latn anaîmia, meaning “without blood” is defined as a qualitative Gastrointestinal bleeding or gastrointestinal hemorrhage describes every form of Hemorrhage (loss of Blood) in the Gastrointestinal tract

Sometimes proctoscopy may also be part of a rectal examination. Proctoscopy is a common medical procedure in which an instrument called a proctoscope (also known as a rectoscope is used to examine the Anal cavity, Rectum or

Veterinary medicine

In veterinary medicine rectal examination is useful in dogs for analysis of the prostate (as in man), pelvic urethra, sublumbar lymph nodes, and anal glands. Veterinary medicine the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order The prostate (from Greek προστάτης - prostates, literally "one who stands before" "protector" "guardian" is a In Anatomy, the urethra (from Greek ουρήθρα - ourethra) is a tube which connects the Urinary bladder to the outside of A Lymph node ( lɪmf noʊd is an organ consisting of many types of cells and is a part of the Lymphatic system. The anal glands or anal sacs are small paired sacs located on either side of the anus between the external and internal sphincter muscles. In horses it is a vital component of the clinical examination for colic, to determine the presence or absence of bowel torsion, impaction, or displacement. The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. Colic in Horses is defined as Abdominal pain, but it is a clinical sign rather than a diagnosis Impaction, from the Latin impingere, is a Medical term used to describe several different types of blockage Horses undergoing a rectal exam are at relatively high risk of a rectal tear, which can be a life-threatening event, rapidly leading to peritonitis and septic shock. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals Peritonitis is defined as Inflammation of the Peritoneum (the Serous membrane which lines part of the abdominal cavity and some of the Viscera Septic shock is a very serious medical condition caused by decreased tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery as a result of Infection and Sepsis, though the

The procedure in dogs and cats is similar to humans. For the horse, the patient stands in a stock and may be sedated. The examiner puts on a long glove that extends to the shoulder. The examiner inserts the hand and arm into the rectum as far as necessary.

Popular culture

Due to the taboos surrounding the anus, and the potential for discomfort and embarrassment, the rectal exam is a common comedic device. A comedic device is used in Comedy to write humor in a common structure Generally, it's not shown directly, but implied as the examiner dons and lubricates a glove while behind the patient. The body cavity search is frequently used the same way. A body cavity search is either a visual search or a manual internal inspection of body cavities such as for prohibited material ( Contraband) such as illegal drugs

Veterinary medicine

Popular culture

See also