Mass

Movement
Physiology of Defecation Defecation
Reflex Relaxation of
Internal Anal
Stimulus: Distention in Sphincter
rectum
Contraction in
Responses: Rectum, Sigmoid
Colon

Contraction of
External Anal
Increased Pressure Sphincter
in Rectum

Defecation
Delay

Contraction of Relaxation of external Relaxation of

Contraction of anal sphincter Puborectalis muscle
external anal
puborectalis
sphincter
muscle Valsava maneuver
Forward peristaltic in
(increased abdominal
Reverse rectum, sigmoid & colon
pressure)
peristaltic in
rectum
Physiology of Defecation
Intrinsic Myenteric
Defecation Reflex
Autonomic
Nervous System
Parasympathetic
Defecation Reflex
Under control of:

Somatic Nervous External Anal

System Sphincter
Intrinsic Defecation Reflex

Initiates Signal Initiate

Peristaltic Waves
Feces enter Distention of Through
in Descending
rectum Rectal Wall Mesenteric Colon, Sigmoid,
Plexus and Rectum

Relaxed Internal Anal

Sphincter
Defecation External Anal Inhibit from Anus
Sphincter Closing
 Parasympathetic Defecation Reflex:
(Involves Sacral Segments of the Spinal Cord
Sacral Spinal
Parasympathetic Cord
Colon
Afferent Signals Fibers (in Pelvic (Cause Intense
Descendent
Nervous) Peristaltic
Contraction)

Relaxed
Internal &
Defecation Rectum Colon Sigmoid
External Anal
Sphincter
External Anal Sphincter

External Anal
Sphincter (Voluntary
Controlled)

Relaxed: Defecation
Contricted:
Occurs; Feces
Defecation can
Expelled Through
Postponed
Anus
Physiology of Defecation

Stretch
When Feces
Receptor (in
enter Rectum Sacral Spinal
Rectal Wall)
from Sigmoid Cord
Send Nerve
Colon
Impulse
 Physiology of Defecation
Motor Impulse
Resulting
from Cord Travel Colon Ascendens,
Contraction of
along Sigmoid, Rectum,
Longitudinal
Parasympathetic Anus
Rectal Muscle
Nerve back to

Voluntary Internal Anal Pressure in

Contraction of Rectum Shortens
Sphincter Open Rectum
Diaphragm
Physiology of Defecation

Voluntary Pushes wall

Contraction ↑ Pressure of Sigmoid
of Diaphragm within Colon &
+ Abdominal Abdomen Rectum
Muscle Inward
Physiology of Defecation
Feces back up
If Defecation not
into Sigmoid
Occur
Colon

Until the Next Wave

Create the Urge of Mass Peristaltic
of Defecate again Stimulates the
Stretch Receptors