The opening at the end of the bowel where solid waste matter normally leaves the body. The muscles that control it are called the anal sphincter.

An examination in which a doctor puts a gloved finger into the anus to feel for abnormalities in the anus, rectum or prostate gland.

The passage from the mouth to the anus that allows a person to digest food and eliminate waste. The lower GI tract includes the colon, rectum and anus.

An operation for rectal cancer, which involves removing part of the colon and the rectum and anus and creating a permanent colostomy. Also used for anal cancer.

A rare cancer affecting the tissues of the anus.

An examination of the large bowel with a camera on a flexible tube (endoscope), which is passed through the anus.

Part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The large bowel stores waste until it leaves the body as faeces. Its four main sections are the caecum, colon, rectum and anus. Also called the large intestine.

A type of surgery for selected small rectal cancers. The surgeon operates through the anus to remove the cancer without cutting into the abdomen.

The section of the colon below the descending colon and above the rectum and anus….

A procedure in which a doctor inserts a sigmoidoscope into the anus to examine the rectum and lower colon….