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A Colon before entry of barium sulfate. B Barium enters proximal ascending colon, showing haustra. C As more barium enters, the haustra disappear from a portion of the ascending and transverse colons , and a contraction begins in this area. D The contraction has moved a portion of the barium into the caudad transverse colon.
The external anal sphincter or sphincter ani externus is a flat plane of skeletal muscle fibers, elliptical in shape and intimately adherent to the skin surrounding the margin of the anus. In a considerable proportion of cases the fibers decussate in front of the anus, and are continuous with the superficial transverse perineal muscle. Posteriorly, they are not attached to the coccyx, but are continuous with those of the opposite side behind the anal canal.
At the level of the middle of the sacrum, the sigmoid colon loses its mesentery and gradually becomes the rectum, which, at the upper limit of the pelvic diaphragm, ends in the anal canal fig. The rectum, about 15 cm long, widens below as the ampulla, which is very distensible. Although variable in shape, the rectum follows the sacrococcygeal curve. At the anorectal junction, the gut curves backward and its concavity is held by the puborectal sling, which can be palpated per anum.