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Anatomy and Physiology of Continence

  • Chapter
Fecal Incontinence

Abstract

Webster’s dictionary defines continence as “the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily”. The word has its origins from the Latin continere or teuere, which means “to hold”. The anorectum is the caudal end of the gastrointestinal tract, and is responsible for fecal continence and defecation. In humans, defecation is a viscero somatic reflex that is often preceded by several attempts to preserve continence. Any attempt at managing anorectal disorders requires a clear understanding of the anatomy and the integrated physiologic mechanisms responsible for maintaining continence.

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Authors
  1. Adil E. Bharucha
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  2. Roberta E. Blandon
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  3. Peter J. Lunniss
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  4. S. Mark Scott
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences Division of Digestive Surgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Ratto  & Giovanni B. Doglietto  & 

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© 2007 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Bharucha, A.E., Blandon, R.E., Lunniss, P.J., Scott, S.M. (2007). Anatomy and Physiology of Continence. In: Ratto, C., Doglietto, G.B., Lowry, A.C., Påhlman, L., Romano, G. (eds) Fecal Incontinence. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0638-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0638-6_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0637-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-0638-6

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