- above dentate line
- Columnar epithelium - insensate
- Mucous deposition (if prolapsing - itch)
- Provide fine control over continence of gas and liquid
Normally anal cushions (internal) are fixed by fibromuscular ligaments - Treitz ligaments which are a continuation of the longitudinal muscle of muscularis propria of the rectum
When the anal cushions give rise to symptoms we call these symptomatic internal haemorrhoids and when these prolapse they result in external haemor- rhoids.