title: The rabbit as an animal model for proctology research: anatomical and histological description.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to describe the surgical anatomy and histology of the rabbit anorectum comparing it to that of humans, in order to decide whether it can be a good experimental model for research in proctology.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study of the anorectal region was performed on six female New Zealand white rabbits, weighting between 2.5-2.9 kg. An autopsy was performed immediately after sacrificing the animal and an anatomical and histological description was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean rectum and anal canal lengths were of 7.2 cm and 0.9 cm, respectively. The macroscopic study showed that the musculature of the anal canal is formed by the coccygeus muscle, which serves as puborectalis in humans. It also defined an external anal sphincter with a deep and superficial portion. The histological evaluation showed similarity to that of humans, with mucosa of simple columnar type, muscularis mucosae, a small submucosa, with a muscular wall divided into internal and external layers, separated by the myenteric plexus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The great similarity to both the anatomy and the histology of humans, appropriate size and easy-handling and care, make the rabbit an attractive animal for the use as experimental and research model in proctology.
authors.affiliation: Coloproctology Unit, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Seville, Spain. delaportilla@ya.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de la Portilla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-Alonso
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Borrero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Díaz-Pavón
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gollonet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Monchul
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Gil
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D003107:Colorectal Surgery; D005260:Female; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology