Rectal examination

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Rectal examination
Side view of male reproductive and urinary anatomy, including the prostate, rectum and bladder, with an index finger probing the anus
ICD-9-CM	89.34
MeSH	D051517
MedlinePlus	007069
[edit on Wikidata]

Digital rectal examination (DRE), also known as a prostate exam (Latin: palpatio per anum (PPA), lit. 'palpation through the anus'), is an internal examination of the rectum performed by a healthcare provider.

Prior to a 2018 report from the United States Preventive Services Task Force, a digital exam was a common component of annual exams for older men, as it was thought to be a reliable screening test for prostate cancer.^[1][2]