What is imperforated anus?

Also known as: imperforate anus, anorectal malformations.

If a baby is born without an anus (the opening at the end of the digestive tract), then this birth defect is known as an imperforated anus. In most cases, the anus is missing entirely. In other cases, the anal opening can be in the wrong place or else is present but is too small to pass stools through. Additional abnormal connections can form between the intestine and urinary system, vagina or bladder.

---

Reviewed by: John M. Peters, DO

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM