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Anus

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	Topics Anus Topic Home Role in defecation Intra-rectal pressure builds as the rectumRectum The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the ... fills with feces, pushing the feces against the walls of the anal canalAnal canal The anal canal is the terminal part of the large intestine.... . Contractions of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles can create intra-abdominal pressure which further increases intra-rectal pressure. The internal anal sphincter (an involuntary muscle) responds to the pressure by relaxing, thus allowing the feces to enter the canal. The rectum shortens as feces are pushed into the anal canal and peristaltic wavesPeristalsis In the digestive tract, the muscularis externa propels the material along the alimentary canal.... push the feces out of the rectum. Relaxation of the internal and external anal sphincters allows the feces to exit from the anus, finally, as the levator aniLevator ani The Levator ani is a broad, thin muscle, situated on the side of the pelvis.... muscles pull the anus up over the exiting feces. To prevent diseases of the anus and to promote general hygiene, humans often clean the exterior of the anus after emptying the bowels. A rinse with water from a bidetBidet A bidet is a low-mounted plumbing fixture or type of sink intended for washing the external genitalia and the anus.... or a wipe with toilet paperToilet paper Summary Toilet paper is a tissue paper product designed for the cleaning of the anus to remove fecal material after defecation or t... are often used for this purpose. Role in sexuality The anus has a relatively high concentration of nerve endingNerve A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of nerve fibers or axons, which includes the glia that ensheath the axons in... s and is an erogenous zoneErogenous zone An erogenous zone is an area of the human body that has heightened sensitivity and stimulation of which normally results in ... . Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud Sigmund FreudThe name Freud is generally pronounced [] in English and [] in German.... 's theory of psychosexual developmentPsychosexual development The concept of psychosexual development began with Sigmund Freud when he developed his theories of psychoanalysis in the lat... , for example, described an anal stageAnal stage The anal stage in psychology is the term used by Sigmund Freud to describe the development during the second year of life, i... , hypothesizing that toddlers derive pleasure from retaining and expelling feces. This is the source of the term "anal" and the derived, derogatory vulgarism "anal-retentiveAnal retentive The term *anal-retentive* is essentially a vulgarism.... ". Anal intercourseAnal sex Anal sex or anal intercourse is a form of human sexual behavior.... can be pleasurable for both the insertive partner and the receptive partner. For the receptive partner, pleasure from anal intercourse is also thought to be related to the shared wall between the rectum and the vaginaVagina The vagina, is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsup... (for females) as well as the G-spotG-spot The Grfenberg spot, or G-spot, is a small area in the genital area of women behind the pubic bone and surrounding the ... or prostateProstate The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system.... (for males). For the insertive partner, the tightness of the anus is often said to be a source of pleasure in penetrative anal sex. Anal intercourse, sometimes referred to as sodomySodomy Sodomy is a term of biblical origin used to characterize certain sexual acts that were attributed to citizens of ancient Sod... or buggeryBuggery The English term buggery is very close in meaning to the term sodomy, and is often used interchangeably in law and popular s... , is a human sexual activity, but is considered tabooTaboo A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as sacred and forbi... in a number of moral systems, and it has been, and in some jurisdictionJurisdiction In law, jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to de... s continues to be, a crime carrying severe punishment. Anal sexual activity need not include penetration. The anus also plays an important role in facesittingFacesitting Facesitting, also known as kinging or queening, is a sexual practice in which a sexual partner sits on or over t... , coprophiliaCoprophilia Coprophilia also known as fecophilia, fecalphilia or coprolagnia, is the paraphilia involving sexual plea... and anilingusAnal-oral contact Anal-oral contact is also referred to as anilingus and colloquially known as rimming, rimjob, tossing t... . Anal stretching can stimulate the nerves around the anus and can be considered pleasurable. Care must be taken to maintain elasticity. Lubricant is widely regarded as a necessity while performing anal sex. Puberty During pubertyPuberty Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction.... , as testosterone triggers androgenic hairAndrogenic hair Androgenic hair is caused by the rising level of male hormones due to puberty that causes a transformation process of vellus... growth on the body, pubic hair begins to appear around the anus. Although initially sparse, it fills out by the end of puberty, if not earlier. Health Hygiene is important for good anal health and anal sex. Washing with a mild soap and water will keep the anus clean. Harsh soaps or wiping vigorously with toilet paper can irritate the skin around the anus, making it itchy or sore. PinwormPinworm The pinworm is a parasitic roundworm of the phylum Nematoda. ... s are sometimes the source of anal itchingPruritus ani Pruritus ani is a medical term which refers to persistent itching of the anus.... . Care should be taken not to strip the anus of natural oils that keep the skin around the opening supple and elastic. Penetration with a penis or sex toySex toy A sex toy is any object or device that is primarily used in facilitating human sexual pleasure.... can irritate or tear the inside of the anus. Lubrication is often recommended to ease penetration. The risk of injury to the anal sphincter should be a concern. Similarly if the anus is torn, this can occasionally cause a fistulaAnal fistula An anal fistula is an abnormal connection between the epithelialised surface of the anal canal and the perianal skin.... formation which can not only cause fecal leaking, but also can be very difficult to treat. Kegel exerciseKegel exercise A Kegel exercise, named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, is an exercise designed to strengthen the pubococcygeus muscles.... s can improve the tone of the outer sphincter muscle. Cosmetics Shaving, trimming, depilatoryHair removal Hair removal describes any method of removing hair, especially from the human body.... (hair removal), or Brazilian waxingBrazilian waxing Summary Brazilian waxing is a type of waxing involving the bikini area.... can clear the perineum of hair. Anal bleachingAnal bleaching Anal bleaching is the practice of bleaching the darker pigmentation of the skin around the anus for cosmetic purposes.... is a process in which the anus and perineumPerineum In human anatomy, the perineum is generally defined as the surface region in both males and females between the pubic symphy... , which may darken with puberty depending on individual genetics, is lightened for a more youthful appearance. This practice has been linked to skin cancer, and other health problems. True Anal piercingAnal piercing An anal piercing is a body piercing in the anus or the surrounding area.... is rare because it may interfere with the function of the anus, however surface piercings of the perineum are easier to care for and much more common. Pathology Diseases of the anus include anal cancerAnal cancer Anal cancer is a distinct entity from the more common colorectal cancer.... , abscessAbscess An abscess is a collection of pus collected in a cavity formed by the tissue on the basis of an infectious process or other... , wartWart A wart is generally a small, rough, cauliflower-like tumour, typically on hands and feet.... s, fistulaAnal fistula An anal fistula is an abnormal connection between the epithelialised surface of the anal canal and the perianal skin.... , anal fissureAnal fissure An anal fissure is an unnatural crack or tear in the anus, usually extending from the anal opening and located posteriorly i... , itchItch An itch is a sensation felt on an area of skin that causes a person or animal to desire to scratch that area.... ing and hemorrhoidHemorrhoid Hemorrhoids are varicosities or swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus. ... . The anus is also a frequent site of sexually transmitted infections. These benefit from medical intervention. Birth defects of the anus include stenosisStenosis A stenosis is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure.... and imperforationImperforate anus An imperforate anus or anal atresia is a birth defect in which the rectum is malformed.... . These benefit from surgical intervention. Damaged anal sphincter — caused by careless or sometimes necessarily sacrificial surgery in the perinealPerineum In human anatomy, the perineum is generally defined as the surface region in both males and females between the pubic symphy... region or by rough/abrupt penetration in anal sexAnal sex Anal sex or anal intercourse is a form of human sexual behavior.... — can lead to flatus and/or fecal incontinenceFecal incontinence Fecal incontinence is the inability to control one's bowels.... , chronic constipationConstipation Constipation or irregularity, is a condition of the digestive system where a person experiences hard feces that are di... and, ultimately, megacolonMegacolon Megacolon is an abnormal dilatation of the colon that is not caused by mechanical obstruction.... . In psychologyPsychology Psychology is an academic and applied field involving the study of the human mind, brain, and behavior.... the FreudSigmund Freud Sigmund FreudThe name Freud is generally pronounced [] in English and [] in German.... ian term anal fixation is used. Additional images See also Anal stageAnal stage The anal stage in psychology is the term used by Sigmund Freud to describe the development during the second year of life, i... (Freudian psychosexual stage) ArseArse Arse and Ass are coarse words for the buttocks.... CloacaCloaca In zoological anatomy, a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal, urinary, a... Digestive system FlatulenceFlatulence Flatulence is the presence of gas under some degree of pressure, in a confined space.... HemorrhoidHemorrhoid Summary Hemorrhoids are varicosities or swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus. ... Anococcygeal nerveAnococcygeal nerve The anococcygeal nerve is a nerve in the pelvis which provides sensory innervation to the skin over the coccyx.... CoccyxFacts About Coccyx The coccyx, commonly referred to as the tailbone, is the final segment of the human vertebral column, of three to five f... Coccydynia (coccyx pain, tailbone pain)Coccydynia Coccydynia is a medical condition characterized by pain in the coccyx or tailbone area....