Other names for Rectum

rectal canal
terminal large intestine

Synopsis of Rectum

The rectum is the final section of the large intestine, measuring approximately 12 to 15 cm in length. It begins at the end of the sigmoid colon and ends at the anal canal, serving as a temporary storage site for feces before elimination. Structurally, the rectum is a muscular, expandable tube lined with mucosa and rich in blood vessels and nerves, which enable it to detect stretching and signal the urge to defecate.

The rectum plays a critical role in defecation, working alongside the anal sphincters to control bowel movements. It also absorbs small amounts of water and electrolytes and may participate in immune defense through its mucosal lining. Rectal health is essential for maintaining proper digestive elimination, continence, and comfort.

The rectum is susceptible to a number of disorders, many of which affect bowel habits, cause discomfort, or signal systemic disease:

• Hemorrhoids: Swollen rectal veins that may cause pain, itching, bleeding, or prolapse. Often triggered by straining, constipation, or prolonged sitting.

• Rectal prolapse: A condition where part of the rectum protrudes through the anus, typically due to weakened pelvic muscles.

• Anal fissures: Small tears in the rectal mucosa, often caused by hard stools or trauma.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Includes ulcerative colitis, which typically begins in the rectum and causes chronic inflammation, bleeding, and urgency.

• Colorectal cancer: Can develop in the rectum, especially in older adults. Early signs may include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

• Radiation proctitis: Inflammation caused by radiation therapy to nearby organs.

Regular screening (e.g., colonoscopy), high-fiber diets, and healthy bowel habits are key to preventing rectal disorders and identifying problems early.

Natural remedies to support Rectum

High-fiber diet: Helps produce soft, regular stools and reduces straining. Include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.

Hydration: Drinking enough water softens stool and eases elimination.

Anti-inflammatory herbs: Slippery elm and marshmallow root soothe the rectal lining and reduce irritation.

Probiotics: Support gut flora balance, reducing inflammation and improving stool consistency.

Witch hazel and horse chestnut: Used topically or internally for hemorrhoid relief due to their astringent and circulatory effects.

Sitz baths: Warm water baths can reduce inflammation and pain related to rectal irritation.

Avoid prolonged sitting and straining: Important for preventing hemorrhoids and prolapse.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Rectum.

Aloe vera
berberine
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
bovine
bromelain
butcher's broom
turmeric
d-sorbitol
dandelion
elderberry
fiber blend (proprietary)
flaxseed
ginger
ginseng
goldenseal
green banana
guar gum
guggul
hawthorn
cellulose
horse chestnut
inulin
licorice root
Marshmallow
Milk thistle
oregon grape
butyric acid
psyllium
rhubarb root
slippery elm bark
Triphala
vitamin C
Water
Zinc
bentonite
cascara sagrada
Indian bael
lingzhi
Yarrow
bile salt
buckthorn
sodium salt
dioscorea
Yucca
senna
White oak
herbal blend (proprietary)
sea salt
Agar
Apple fiber
animal Tissue
anthraquinone
Asian Psyllium
Aloe vera
Acacia fiber
Alexandrian senna
Agar
Aloe
Alder Buckthorn
Acidophilus
American Wormseed
Bifidobacterium
Butyric acid
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bamboo fiber
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifobacterium (mixed)
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
bran
Blond Psyllium
Broccoli
butternut
berry
Buckwheat fiber
Buckthorn
bile
Black Psyllium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
bacteria
blend (herb/botanical)
black root
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Bovine (unspecified)
Barley Bran
cascaroside
Cellulose
Cascara Sagrada
cape aloe
Cellulose
chard
Cellulose ethers
Chinese Rhubarb
cranesbill
Cellulose
Chicory fiber
Cellulose
Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
Collinsonia
Cellulose ethers
castor oil
Cascara
Carboxy methylcellulose
carboxymethyl cellulose
Cellulose derivatives
Diosmin
Diosmin
Docusate calcium
Docusate Sodium
Enterococcus
English elm
Echinacea
Enterococcus (various species)
Eudragit
Essential oil (unspecified)
European Buckthorn
emodin
Fiber Blend
fruit
fiber
Frangula
Fruit (unspecified)
Fiber (unspecified)
Glucosinolate (unspecified)
Galactomannan
Guar Gum
Hydroxyanthracene derivative
honey
Hydroxyanthracene
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose
High amylose polysaccharide
Hydroxyethoxypropyl Methylcellulose
Hyprolose
Ipomoea jalapa
Indian Jalap
Intestine
Jalapa
Jalap
Konjac
karaya gum
lactitol
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lemon Fiber
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactobacillus (various species)
Lycopodium
Lactobacillus mixed)
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
Lactitol
Methylcellulose
Male Fern
mineral (unspecified)
Magnesium hydroxide
Methyl cellulose
Methylcarboxy methylcellulose
Neem
Orange fiber
Olive Oil
Oak Bark
Psyllium fiber
peptides (unspecified)
Prune
Psyllium (not specified)
polyglycitol
Plantago
Pea Fiber
Peptides (unspecified)
Plum fiber
probiotics
Psyllium (unspecified)
Pectin-Cellulose
Probiotic (unspecified)
Plantago (unspecified)
Plantain (common or English)
Phenethyl isothiocyanate
Peptides
Resistant Starch
Rye
Rhubarb (unspecified)
rhubarb
Sennosides
Senna (unspecified)
Sennoside
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
Senna
Salt (sea)
Sanguisorba
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces boullardii
Sodium biphosphate
salt
Soy Fiber
Slippery Elm
Sodium
Sorbitol
Sodium Phosphate
Sodium chloride
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sickle Senna
Ulmus
Vegetable Fiber (unspecified)
Water
Wheat Bran
Wheat Bran