Which position involves the patient lying on the abdomen with the knees drawn up and the thighs at 90 degrees to the table, often used for anal and perineal examinations?

• A. Sims
• B. Dorsal Recumbent
• C. Knee-Chest
• D. Lithotomy

Answer: (C)

Maximizing exposure of the anal and perineal region is the goal. In the knee-chest position, the patient lies on the abdomen with the knees drawn up and the thighs at a 90-degree angle to the table, which straightens the anal canal and opens the buttocks for easy inspection and instrumentation. This orientation reduces abdominal pressure on the rectum, relaxes surrounding muscles, and lets gravity help separate the gluteal folds for better visibility. Other positions like Sims (side-lying), dorsal recumbent (supine), and lithotomy offer access for different examinations, but they don’t provide the same direct posterior exposure needed for anal and perineal assessment.