HISTOANATOMY OF ANAL GLANDS

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the histology of adult anal glands using conventional as well as immunochemical methods. MET HODS: Fifteen fresh human ani were prepared and stained with conventio nal and immunohistologic stains. RESULTS: The median number of anal gl ands in each anus was six (range, 3-10). Sixty-eight (80 percent) of 8 5 anal glands found were submucosal in extent, seven (8 percent) exten ded to the circular internal sphincter, seven (8 percent) to the longi tudinal internal sphincter, two (2 percent) to the intersphincteric sp ace, and only one (I percent) penetrated the external anal sphincter. Ampulla-like dilations were noted in anal glands from ten patients onl y, occurring at the submucosal level in seven ani and at the circular internal sphincter in three ani. Lymphocytic infiltrations were noted around the glands in all ani studied. Mucus-secreting cells were found in all ani, and many glands showed the presence of intraluminal secre tions. Immunostaining for smooth muscle actin showed the presence of o ne to two cell layers of myoepithelial cells surrounding all anal glan ds. CONCLUSIONS: Anal glands are definite preformed structures with se cretory activity.