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Anorectal Physiology

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Abstract

Normal bowel continence and evacuation are complex ­processes that involve the coordinated interaction between multiple different neuronal pathways and the pelvic and perineal musculature.1 The importance of the anatomic relationships of the pelvic floor in maintaining normal continence has been suggested since the 1950s.2 However, the complex series of neural and behavioral-mediated interactions, combined with a lack of an ideal study to take all elements into account, makes complete understanding of anorectal anatomy and physiology’s role in preserving continence difficult.3 Complicating this are multiple other factors that play a role in normal regulation such as systemic disease, sphincter integrity, bowel motility, stool consistency, evacuation efficiency, pelvic floor stability, cognitive and emotional affects.4

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Acknowledgments.

This chapter was written by Susan M. Parker and John M. Coller in the first edition of this textbook.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Edina, MN, USA

    Richard E. Karulf MD

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  1. Richard E. Karulf MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    David E. Beck MD, FACS, FASCRS

  2. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Lahey Clinic, Tufts University School of Medicine, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA

    Patricia L. Roberts MD, FACS, FASCRS

  3. Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Rush Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Theodore J. Saclarides MD, FACS, FASCRS

  4. Department of Surgery, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

    Anthony J. Senagore MD, FACS, FASCRS

  5. Department of Surgery, UCI Medical Center, Orange, California, USA

    Michael J. Stamos MD, FACS, FASCRS

  6. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, USA

    Steven D. Wexner MD, FACS, FASCRS, FRCS, FRCS(Ed)

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© 2011 ASCRS (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)

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Karulf, R.E. (2011). Anorectal Physiology. In: Beck, D.E., Roberts, P.L., Saclarides, T.J., Senagore, A.J., Stamos, M.J., Wexner, S.D. (eds) The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1584-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1584-9_3

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1584-9

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