Rectal prolapse refers to the protrusion of rectum within and outside of the anal opening.
It is classified according to the extent of the prolapse. This includes:1
- Internal prolapse – where the rectum has prolapsed internally, but isn’t protruding through the anal opening
- Mucosal prolapse – the inner lining of the rectum protrudes out of the anal opening
- External prolapse – the rectum completely protrudes out of the anal opening
Rectal prolapse is significantly more common in women compared to men, and primarily occurs in children and the elderly.2