9. How are haemorrhoids classified?
Correct answer: Haemorrhoids (or piles; the words are synonymous) may be classified according to their relationship to the anal orifice into internal, external and interoexternal.
8. Where are the draining veins of the anal cushions commonly felt?
Correct answer: Just below the dentate line.
7. Which veins drain the anal cushions?
Correct answer: The superior rectal vein.
6. Which arteries give blood supply to the anal cushions?
Correct answer: The rectal arteries.
5. What makes up an anal cushion?
Correct answer: The anal cushions comprise highly vascular tissue lining the anal canal, with a rich supply from the rectal arteries, which anastomose with the draining veins both through capillaries and through direct arteriovenous shunts. The draining veins form saccules,…
4. What are the two important structures involved in anal continence?
Correct answer: Anal sphincters and anal cushions.
3. What is the functional anatomy of haemorrhoids?
Correct answer: Continence is partly a function of the anal sphincters, and partly a consequence of the anal cushions. The anal cushions comprise highly vascular tissue lining the anal canal, with a rich blood supply from the rectal arteries, which…
2. Can a bleeding duodenal ulcer cause bright red rectal bleeding?
Correct answer: Rarely, massive haemorrhage from higher up the alimentary canal – even a bleeding duodenal ulcer – may produce bright red blood per rectum instead of the usual melaena, although such cases are commonly accompanied by haematemesis.
1. What are the causes of bright red rectal bleeding?
Correct answer: The passage of bright red blood per rectum is a common symptom, which the patient usually attributes to ‘piles’; indeed, haemorrhoids are by far the commonest cause of rectal bleeding. It is important, however, to bear in mind…
13. Why does erythromycin cause diarrhoea?
Correct answer: It stimulates the motilin receptor.
