Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus01:25

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...
Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum01:26

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum

The muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum are crucial for supporting the pelvic organs, controlling continence, and aiding in sexual function, childbirth, and core stability. They are typically divided into the superficial perineal layer and the deep pelvic floor layer.
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome01:23

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent combinations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeIts pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving disturbances in motility, sensory processing, microbial balance, barrier integrity, and gut–brain communication. These mechanisms interact to produce symptoms that vary across IBS subtypes.Altered Motility PatternsDisordered...
Functions of Smooth Muscles01:23

Functions of Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscles are an important type of muscle tissue that plays a vital role in the involuntary movements of internal organs. For example, they help regulate the movement of food through the gut and the flow of blood through the circulatory system.
Function of visceral smooth muscles
Visceral smooth muscle is found in the walls of all hollow organs, except the heart, and is a key player in the involuntary movements that drive the functioning of these internal organs. This tissue is arranged in...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Diagnosis and Management of Rectoceles.

Diseases of the colon and rectum·2025
Same author

Conventional Versus High-Complexity Total Pelvic Exenteration for Locally Advanced and Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer: An International Multicenter Study.

Diseases of the colon and rectum·2025
Same author

The LMSz method - an automatable scalable approach to constructing gene-specific growth charts in rare disorders.

European journal of human genetics : EJHG·2025
Same author

Patterns and outcomes of disease recurrence after pelvic exenteration for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

The British journal of surgery·2025
Same author

International Prospective Quality of Life in Patients With Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Treated by Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Diseases of the colon and rectum·2025
Same author

ASO Visual Abstract: Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases-A Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Patients and Carers.

Annals of surgical oncology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

The internal anal sphincter in systemic sclerosis.

Cherry E Koh1, Christopher J Young, Caroline M Wright

  • 1Surgical Outcomes and Research Centre (SOuRCe), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. cherry_koh@hotmail.com

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|March 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Systemic sclerosis can cause fecal incontinence due to internal anal sphincter changes. Endoanal ultrasound revealed two distinct morphologic patterns: thickened and hypoechoic, or thinned and hyperechoic sphincters.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro
08:28

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro

Published on: February 15, 2022

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
07:33

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction

Published on: March 5, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro
08:28

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro

Published on: February 15, 2022

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
07:33

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction

Published on: March 5, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Fecal incontinence is a complication of systemic sclerosis.
  • Internal anal sphincter (IAS) dysfunction in systemic sclerosis may result from fibrosis or ischemic myopathy.
  • Endoanal ultrasound (EAU) can reveal morphologic changes in the IAS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the morphologic changes of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and fecal incontinence.
  • To characterize IAS changes using endoanal ultrasound.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 11 patients with SSc and fecal incontinence.
  • EAU using a 10 MHz endoprobe to assess IAS thickness and echogenicity.
  • Comparison of IAS thickness with sex- and age-matched controls.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct IAS morphologic patterns were identified: thickened, homogeneous, hypoechoic; or thinned, heterogeneous, hyperechoic.
  • Average IAS thickness was 1.6 mm, significantly different from controls (P=0.028).
  • All patients were female.

Conclusions:

  • Systemic sclerosis can lead to two distinct internal anal sphincter morphologic changes on EAU.
  • These findings contrast with literature suggesting only thinned, hyperechoic IAS in SSc.
  • EAU is valuable for assessing IAS in SSc-related fecal incontinence.