Rectum, anus, and anal sphincter
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Rectum, anus, and anal sphincter
The rectum is a muscular tube about
The internal and external anal sphincters are rings of muscle at the opening of the anus. The sphincters keeps the anus closed as stool collects in the rectum. Eventually the pressure on the rectum wall causes the internal anal sphincter to relax. Conscious control over the external anal sphincter allows stool to pass out of the body through the anus.
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery |
| Last Updated | May 30, 2008 |
| Last updated: | May 30, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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