Pectinate line

Pectinate line
Pectinate line labeled at bottom center.
The interior of the anal cami and lower part of the rectum, showing the columns of Morgagni and the anal valves between their lower ends. (Pectinate line visible but not labeled.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Linea pectinata, linea anocutanea
Dorlands /Elsevier	l_10/12496033
TA	A05.7.05.009
FMA	29321
Anatomical terminology []

The pectinate line (dentate line) is a line which divides the upper two thirds and lower third of the anal canal. Developmentally, this line represents the hindgut-proctodeum junction.

It is an important anatomical landmark, and several distinctions can be made based upon the location of a structure relative to this line:

Microscopic cross section of the anorectal junction.

Anatomy of the anus and rectum

Coronal section of rectum and anal canal.