Functions:
The rectum acts as the temporary site for the storage of the faeces. It has muscular wall and mucus secreting lining. It has large tubular capacity for storing faeces, which is flattened and empty between times. Rectal wall expand due to materials filling it from within. Stretch receptors from nervous system located in the rectal walls stimulate the desire to defecate. If the urge is not acted, the material in the rectum is often returned to the colon where more water is absorbed from the faeces. It is also used for taking temperature in children.
Diseases:
The disorders are of two types, functional disorder and structural disorder. Functional disorders include constipation means small, hard, difficult or infrequent stools, it may be caused by inadequate fibres in the diet, not enough oral fluids, poor habits especially putting off the call to stool. Irritable bowel is a condition in which colon muscle contracts in an abnormal fashion, which may lead to many disorders. Structural disorders include anal disorders like haemorrhoids internal or external, anal fissure, perianal abscess, fistula in ano, diverticular disease, polyp and cancer of rectum etc.
Interesting Facts:
Flatulence is basically a mixture of different gases that are produced by bacteria and yeasts that are living in the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrogen and methane are the two gases responsible for foul smelling and butyric acid, sulphur and carbon compound are responsible for whistling experience. The nerve endings of the rectum which distinguish between faeces and gas can get confused every time.
