The pectinate line (dentate line) is a line which divides the upper two-thirds and lower third of the
anal canal
The anal canal is the part that connects the rectum to the anus, located below the level of the pelvic diaphragm. It is located within the anal triangle of the perineum, between the right and left ischioanal fossa. As the final functional segment ...
. Developmentally, this line represents the
hindgut
The hindgut (or epigaster) is the posterior ( caudal) part of the alimentary canal. In mammals, it includes the distal one third of the transverse colon and the splenic flexure, the descending colon, sigmoid colon and up to the ano-rectal juncti ...
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proctodeum
A proctodeum is the back ectodermal part of an alimentary canal. It is created during embryogenesis by a folding of the outer body wall. It will form the lower part of the anal canal
The anal canal is the part that connects the rectum to the ...
junction.
It is an important anatomical landmark in humans, and several distinctions can be made based upon the location of a structure relative to this line:
Additional images
File:Rectoanal jxn.JPG, Microscopic cross section of the anorectal junction.
File:Anorectum-en.svg , Anatomy of the anus and rectum
File:Gray1078.png, Coronal section of rectum and anal canal.
References
External links
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Digestive system
Anatomic Landmarks