Rectal Examination & Male External Genitalia Examination

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the clinical procedures and pathological findings for rectal and male external genitalia examinations based on the University of KwaZulu-Natal MBChB III clinical skills curriculum.

Rectal Examination

A clinical examination involving the inspection and palpation of the perineum, anal canal, and rectum; it is essential for assessing G-I disease and the prostate.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland characterized by a boggy and painful feeling during palpation.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

A condition indicated by a regularly enlarged prostate gland identified during a digital rectal exam.

Prostate Cancer (Physical Findings)

An irregularly enlarged or nodular prostate gland, which must alert the physician to possible malignancy.

Left lateral position

The standard positioning for a rectal exam where the patient lies on their left side with hips flexed to $90^{\circ}$ and knees flexed to $110^{\circ}$.

Puborectalis muscle

The muscle tone that an examiner must counteract by pushing backwards gently while introducing a finger into the anal canal.

Fissure-in-ano

A tear in the anal wall, usually located posteriorly in the midline, often painful enough to prevent a rectal examination.

Rectal Prolapse

Circumferential folds of red mucosa that protrude through the anus, which may become apparent only when the patient strains.

Fistula-in-ano

A track leading through the muscles to the anal canal, often presenting as multiple openings behind or to the side of the anus.

Phimosis

A narrowed end of the prepuce (foreskin) that prevents its retraction over the glans penis; can be congenital or caused by scarring.

Paraphimosis

A condition where a narrowed prepuce becomes stuck behind the glans penis, causing venous blood flow impediment, edema, and congestion.

Syphilitic chancre

A characteristically painless genital ulcer found on the penis or prepuce.

Hypospadias

A congenital abnormality in which the urethral meatus opens on the ventral surface of the penis proximal to its usual position.

Cryptorchidism

The clinical condition in which one or both testes are impalpable in the scrotum.

Hydrocele

A scrotal swelling that is translucent, not reducible, and lacks a cough impulse.

Varicocele

A swelling caused by the dilatation of veins in the scrotum, often appearing on the left side.

Saphenous Varix

A soft, compressible dilatation of the vein at the junction with the femoral vein that produces a "jet of water" sensation on palpation.

Tanner Stage 2 (Pubic Hair)

The pubic hair stage characterized by the presence of downy hair.

Tanner Stage 5 (Pubic Hair)

The final stage where terminal hair extends beyond the inguinal crease onto the thigh.

Torsion of the Testis

An emergency condition typically affecting adolescents or men in their early twenties where immediate surgery is essential.

Anal Verge

The location where the anal canal meets the outside skin; used to describe the distance of lesions or masses during a rectal exam.