Digital
examination of the
anus is a simple
clinical procedure that can provide much information to the doctor.
On entry, the examining finger is first gripped by the subcutaneous anal sphincter. A number of structures lie within reach, and those with a firmer consistency can be more easily identified.
Examination can be made difficult by painful conditions of the anal wall such as fissures. Collections of pus can give a rather boggy resistance to the examining finger.