The digital<unk>  is a relatively simple medical procedure. The patient undresses and is then placed in a position where the anus is accessible (lying on the side, squatting on the examination table, bent over it, or lying down with feet in stirrups). If the patient is lying on his/her side, the physician will usually have her/him bring one or both legs up to his/her chest. If the patient bends over the examination table or the back of a chair, the physician will have her/him place his/her elbows on the table and squat down slightly. If the patient uses the supine position, the physician will ask the patient to slide down to the end of the examination table until his/her buttocks are positioned just beyond the end and then place her/his feet in the stirrups. The physician spreads the buttocks apart and will usually examine the external area (anus and perineum) for any abnormalities such as hemorrhoids, lumps, or rashes. Then, as the patient relaxes and bears down (as if having a bowel movement), the physician slips a lubricated finger into the rectum through the anus and palpates the insides for a short time.
Rectal examination
History and culture of breastfeeding
Stool test
Abdominal examination
Sigmoidoscopy
GI cocktail
Fecal pH test
Endoanal ultrasound