Thrombosed Hemorrhoid
What Is It, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and More
What is a thrombosed hemorrhoid?
Hemorrhoidal disease (most commonly known as hemorrhoids), arises from an abnormal distension of the hemorrhoidal veins that lie underneath the mucosa of the lower rectum and anus. Although the word “hemorrhoids” is frequently used to refer to hemorrhoidal disease, hemorrhoids are actually normal clusters of highly vascular structures, smooth muscle, and elastic connective tissue that form the anal cushions. Their main function is to protect the anal sphincter and help prevent incontinence when the abdominal pressure increases, such as when sneezing or coughing.
In some individuals, these anal cushions can become swollen or protrude through the anal canal, leading to what is commonly known as hemorrhoids or piles. A thrombosed hemorrhoid occurs when a blood clot forms inside a hemorrhoidal vein, obstructing blood flow and causing a painful swelling of the anal tissues. Thrombosed hemorrhoids are not dangerous, but they can be very painful and cause rectal bleeding if they become ulcerated.
There are two kinds of hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids, which develop in the lower rectum, above the dentate line, and external hemorrhoids, which develop on the verge of the anal canal, below the dentate line. Almost all thrombosed hemorrhoids are external, but thrombosis of internal hemorrhoids is also possible.