Rectal bleeding can refer to any blood that passes from your anus, although rectal bleeding is usually assumed to refer to bleeding from your lower colon or rectum. Your rectum makes up the last few inches of your large intestine.
Rectal bleeding may show up as blood in your stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Blood that results from rectal bleeding can range in color from bright red to dark maroon to a dark, tarry color.
Sept. 03, 2014
- Bleeding in the digestive tract. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/bleeding/index.htm. Accessed July 29, 2014.
- Strate L. Etiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed July 29, 2014.
- Understanding minor rectal bleeding. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=6820. Accessed July 29, 2014.
- Rectal prolapse. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/rectal_prolapse/. Accessed July 30, 2014.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 7, 2014.
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