Anorectal junction (4x objective lens)

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This image is a composite of 20 low magnification images of the anorectal junction of a monkey. It is seen here at reduced size to provide a general overview of the organization of this tissue. Uppermost in the image is the anal orifice, which is the opening between the outside world and the anal canal. It is lined by epidermis and bounded by a ring of skeletal muscle that forms the external anal sphincter (EAS). The anal canal is lined by the anal mucosa, composed of nonkeratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, and surrounded by a layer of smooth muscle that forms the internal anal sphincter (IAS). At the anorectal junction (ARJ), where the anal canal connects to the rectum there is a transition from anal mucosa to rectal mucosa, which is composed of simple columnar epithelium and is structurally similar to the colon.

Stain = H&E

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	the mucosa	the anal epidermis	anal orifice	the anal sphincter

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