Pectinate line
Overview
Overview
The pectinate line (anocutaneous line, dentate line, anal verge, anorectal junction) is a line which marks the end of the rectum and the beginning of the anal canal. Developmentally, this line provides the hindgut and proctodeum junction.
It is an important anatomical landmark, and several distinctions can be made based upon the location of a structure relative to this line:
| Distinction | Above pectinate line | Below pectinate line |
| destination of lymph drainage | internal iliac lymph nodes, inferior mesenteric lymph nodes | superficial inguinal lymph nodes |
| epithelium | columnar epithelium (as is most of the digestive tract – the line represents the end of the part of the body derived from the hindgut) | stratified squamous epithelium (as is most of the skin.) |
| blood | superior rectal artery | inferior rectal arteries |
| hemorrhoids classification | internal hemorrhoids (not painful) | external hemorrhoids (painful) |
| nerves | inferior hypogastric plexus | inferior rectal nerves |
Additional images
Additional images
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Microscopic cross section of the recto-anal junction. -
Anatomy of the anus and rectum -
Coronal section of rectum and anal canal.
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