What Areas is Colorectal Surgery involved in?
 

Colorectal Surgery is a subspecialty involved in the treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

The large bowel (large intestines or colon) is divided in various parts but is really a continuous tube. The colon generally acts as a conduit as well as a transit area where water is reabsorbed. The rectum acts more like a reservoir, and together with the anal canal it acts in a complex way in the control and passage of stools.

 
The colon and rectum has an inner lining containing glands called the mucosa. This is surrounded by two muscle layers which acts to move the colon (also called peristalsis). The outer layer of muscle is grouped into 3 distinct bands called the taenia coli. This in turn is surrounded by the outermost layer, the serosa. The blood supply to the colon originates from the abdominal aorta (the longest blood vessel in the body). Important lymphatic channels run parallel to the blood vessels and are lined at regular intervals with lymph nodes. These act as filters as well as are important in the body defense mechanism (immune system). They are particularly important, as they are one of the main portals of spread for colorectal cancers. The treatment of colorectal disease has evolved as a specialty on its own because of the increasing incidence of the diseases associated with this organ. It has also been shown that the results of therapy in these diseases is better when managed by a specialist who is trained in these diseases.
 

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