Proctology

Proctology is a separate medical specialisation focusing on the diagnostics and treatment of the diseases of the end sections of the gastrointestinal tract, i.e.:

- rectum,
- anal canal,
- anus.

These are well-defined anatomical structures: the large intestine consists of the colon and rectum, the colon ends at the sigmoid colon, then a rectosigmoid junction at the level of promontorium (lumbar and sacral bone junction), from promontorium downwards there starts rectum of 12-15 cm. The final section of the rectum is the anal canal of 4-6 cm. This very opening is the anus. Around the anal canal there is the arrangement of muscles and sphincters - internal, smooth, independent of our will, striated, external, dependent on our will, and puborectalis - independent of our will, the most important sphincter in the mechanism of gas retention and faecal continence. This segments - measuring 15 cm including the anus - may be affected by various medical conditions being the focus of proctology.