Anocutaneous line explained

Anocutaneous line
Latin:linea anocutanea
System:Alimentary system

The anocutaneous line, also called the Hilton white line or intersphincteric groove, is a boundary in the anal canal.[1]

Below the anocutaneous line, lymphatic drainage is to the superficial inguinal nodes.[2]

The anocutaneous line is slightly below the pectinate line and a landmark for the intermuscular border between internal and external anal sphincter muscles.

The anocutaneous line represents the transition point from non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the anal canal to keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the anus and perianal skin.[3]

In live persons, the color of the line is white, hence the alternative name. It is named for John Hilton.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Ewing MR . The white line of Hilton . Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine . 47 . 7 . 525–30 . July 1954 . 10.1177/003591575404700706 . 13185975 . 1918929 .
  2. Web site: Pelvis . 2007-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071021044451/http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wnor/pelvis.htm . 2007-10-21 . dead .
  3. Web site: The Digestive System . 2009-01-14 .