Abnormalities of Rectum

• Pilonidal cyst is a congenital disorder characterized by a small dimple or cyst/sinus containing hair. It is located midline in the sacrococcygeal area and has a palpable sinus tract
• Rectal polyps - these soft structures are rather common and occur in varying sizes and numbers. There are two types: pedunculated (on a stalk) and sessile (on the mucosal membrane)
• Rectal cancer - occurs when cells in the rectum mutate and grow out of control.

  
• Prostate cancer - a hard area on the prostate or hard, fixed, irregular nodules on the prostate suggest cancer.

  
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy - prostate is enlarged, smooth, firm, and slightly elastic. Common in 50 year old men
• External hemorrhoid - contains clotted blood, is very painful and swollen, and itches and bleeds with bowel movement

  
• Anorectal fistula - small, round opening in the skin that surrounds the anal opening. It suggests an inflammatory tract from the anus or rectum out to the skin.

  
• Perianal abscess - a cavity of pus, caused by infection in the skin around the anal opening. It causes throbbing pain and is red, swollen, hard and tender
• Perianal abscess - a cavity of pus, caused by infection in the skin around the anal opening. It causes throbbing pain and is red, swollen, hard and tender

  
• Anal fissure - splits in the anal canal caused by trauma. Swollen skin tag ("sentinel tag") is often present below the fissure on the anal margin. They cause intense pain, itching, and bleeding

  
• Rectal prolapse - mucosa of the rectum protrudes out through anal opening. It may involve only the mucosa or the mucosa and the rectal wall. It appears as a red, doughnutlike mass with radiating folds

  
• Hemorrhoids - swollen veins in the anus or rectum.

  
• Perianal abscess - painful mass that is hardened and reddened in perianal area
• A thrombosed external hemorrhoid appears swollen. It is itchy, painful, and bleeds when the client passes stool.
• A swollen skin tag on the anal margin may indicate a fissure in the anal canal
• Redness and excoriation may be from scratching a perianal area infected by fungi or pinworms.
• Thickening of the epithelium suggests repeated trauma from anal intercourse.
• Bulges of red mucous membrane may indicate a rectal prolapse
• Poor sphincter tone may be the result of a spinal cord injury, previous surgery, trauma, or a prolapsed rectum
• Tightened sphincter tone may indicate anxiety, scarring, or inflammation.
• Black stool may indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding or the use of iron supplements or Pepto-Bismol
• gray or tan stool results from the lack of bile pigment
• yellow stool suggests steatorrhea (increased fat content).
• Blood detected in the stool may indicate cancer of the rectum or colon.
• Fecal incontinence occurs with neurologic disorders and some gastrointestinal infections
• Mucus in the stool (sometimes called mucoid stool)
• Excessive mucus may be a manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel disorder.