Haemorrhoidal venous plexus

Looks like

Cushions of veins in the wall of the anal canal, present in everyone.

What it does

Help seal the anus and protect it during passing stool.

Keeping it well

Straining and constipation swell them into piles; fibre and water help. Bright red blood usually means piles, but rectal bleeding with a change in bowel habit needs checking.

Related conditions

• Anal cancer
• Bone metastases and spinal cord compression
• Chronic constipation
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders (thrombophilia & APS)
• Colon polyps
• Colorectal cancer
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Faecal incontinence
• Haemorrhoids
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Obstructed labour and obstetric fistula
• Rectal prolapse
• Ulcerative colitis
• Varicose veins