Anal fissures are tears in the skin overlying the anal sphincter, usually due to increased tone of the anal sphincter muscles, and a failure of these muscle to relax. Anal fissures cause pain during defecation and bleeding from the anus.
About UPHS Contact Us Site Map Privacy Statement Legal Disclaimer Terms of Use
The University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA 1-800-789-PENN © 2013, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania