Bleeding hemorrhoids

Abstract

Hemorrhoids are formed when fibromuscular cushions normally lining the anal canal become pathologically engorged leading to symptoms of bleeding, pruritis, and pain. These cushions serve to aid with control of continence and evacuation of formed stool without mucosal injury [1]. They are classically located in three positions: right anterior, right posterior, and left lateral [2]. There are two classes of hemorrhoids that can cause significant symptoms: internal and external, divided based on their position relative to the dentate line (Fig. 1). © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.