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

1.0K
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,...
1.0K
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management01:21

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management

428
Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
428
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

734
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...
734
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

2.4K
Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.4K
Appendicitis-I: Introduction01:22

Appendicitis-I: Introduction

2.1K
The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
2.1K
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum01:21

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

7.7K
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum or smooth ER is a sub-organelle with specialized functions in animal cells and plant cells. It is often associated with the tubule morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...
7.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Long-Term Outcome of Young Infants With Suspected Neuroblastoma following Observation as Primary Therapy: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group.

Pediatric blood & cancer·2025
Same author

Accuracy of contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography using Optison™ for diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in children.

Journal of pediatric urology·2022
Same author

Refining sonographic criteria for paediatric appendicitis: combined effects of age-based appendiceal size and secondary findings.

Emergency medicine journal : EMJ·2022
Same author

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the spleen, pancreas and gallbladder in children.

Pediatric radiology·2021
Same author

Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography part 2: urethral imaging.

Pediatric radiology·2021
Same author

Does age affect the test performance of secondary sonographic findings for pediatric appendicitis?

Pediatric radiology·2021
Same journal

The Solomon Technique and Extreme Preterm Birth after Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2026
Same journal

Prenatal and molecular characteristics of 23 cases with Silver-Russell syndrome.

Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2026
Same journal

Consequences of selective fetal growth restriction in perinatal outcomes after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, based on single or dual survival.

Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2026
Same journal

Turning image labelling into knowledge: insights from fetal Left ventricular outflow tract annotation.

Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2026
Same journal

First-trimester growth rate in relation to selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic twins.

Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2026
Same journal

Erratum.

Fetal diagnosis and therapy·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Rectal Organoid Morphology Analysis ROMA: A Diagnostic Assay in Cystic Fibrosis
07:56

Rectal Organoid Morphology Analysis ROMA: A Diagnostic Assay in Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: June 10, 2022

3.2K

Referral for Dilated Fetal Rectum: Rarely a Pathologic Entity.

Emily M Scire1, Judy A Estroff2,3, Carol E Barnewolt2,3

  • 1Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA, escire@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
|December 5, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Fetal imaging of a dilated colon or rectum is usually not indicative of serious conditions like anorectal malformation (ARM) or Hirschsprung

Keywords:
Anal atresiaAnorectal malformationDilated fetal colonDilated fetal rectumFetal diagnosisImperforate anusProminent fetal rectum

More Related Videos

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
14:19

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

28.6K
Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice
06:31

Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice

Published on: February 5, 2021

3.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Rectal Organoid Morphology Analysis ROMA: A Diagnostic Assay in Cystic Fibrosis
07:56

Rectal Organoid Morphology Analysis ROMA: A Diagnostic Assay in Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: June 10, 2022

3.2K
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
14:19

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

28.6K
Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice
06:31

Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice

Published on: February 5, 2021

3.5K

Area of Science:

  • Fetal Medicine
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Dilated fetal colon or rectum on prenatal imaging can suggest anorectal malformation (ARM) or Hirschsprung's disease (HD).
  • Accurate prenatal diagnosis is crucial for timely intervention and improved neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between fetal rectal/colonic dilation on ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postnatal distal bowel abnormalities.
  • To develop a risk score for diagnosing anorectal malformation (ARM) based on specific fetal imaging findings.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pregnant women referred for suspected fetal rectal/colonic dilation between 2006-2024.
  • Comparison of fetal US and MRI findings with neonatal outcomes.
  • Univariate analysis to identify significant predictors of postnatal distal bowel abnormality and formulate a risk score.

Main Results:

  • 38.2% of patients had normal imaging; 61.7% showed persistent fetal colon/rectum prominence or dilation.
  • Seven male fetuses with large bowel dilation were diagnosed with imperforate anus; none had Hirschsprung's disease (HD).
  • A risk score incorporating 8 variables demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ARM in the cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal imaging findings of a dilated colon/rectum are infrequently associated with pathology.
  • When targeted fetal imaging lacks predictive features of pathology, families and providers can be reassured.
  • The developed risk score aids in the accurate prenatal diagnosis of anorectal malformation.