Anatomy- Faecal Continence Flashcards
what is the role of the rectum
a holding area to store faeces until appropriate to defecate
what senses the fullness (stretching) of the rectum
normal visceral afferent nerve fibres
what can affect faecal continence
neurological pathology, medications, old age degeneration of nerve innervation of muscle, consistency of stool
what does the pelvic cavity lie within
the bony pelvis- between the pelvic inlet and pelvic floor
what is the pelvic cavity continuous with
abdominal cavity
what separates the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity
peritonium
what does the pelvic cavity contain
pelvic organs and supporting tissues- inc rectum
what muscle is known as the pelvic floor
levator ani
what do openings in the levator ani allow
distal parts of the alimentary, renal and reproductive tracts to pass from the pelvic cavity to the perineum
at what vertebrae does the sigmoid colon become the rectum
anterior to S3 (recto-sigmoid junction)
where does the rectum become the anal canal
anterior to the coccyx just prior to passing through the levator ani muscle
are the rectim, anal canal and anus in the pelvis or perineum
rectum in pelvis
anal canal and anus in the perineum
what is the difference between sigmoid and rectum
looses tinae coli and has longitundinal muscle fibres
where is the rectal ampulla
lies immediately superior to the levator ani muscle
why does the rectum have three folds
create staggering effect, allow for expansion
what part of rectum in under conscious control
the sphincters
what covers the superior rectum
peritoneum
what lies anterior to the superior rectum
rectouterine (pouch of douglas) /retrovesical pouch
what lies anterior to the inferior rectum in males
prostate
what lies anterior to the middle/inferior rectum in females
the vagina
what type of muscles make up the levator ani
skeletal- controlled consciously
where does the puborectalis go between
both pubic bones- most medial
where does the pubococcygeus go between
from pubic bone to coccyx
where does the illiococcygeus go between
inner side of ischium to coccyx
what muscles makes up the levator ani
puborectalis
illiococcygeus
pubococcygeus
when does the levator ani reflexively contract
during increased intra-abdominal pressure (coughing sneezing)
what innervates the levator ani
‘nerve to levator ani’ (branch of sacral plexus) and pudenal (main nerve of perineum) S2,3,4 (keeps the poo off the floor)
what does the pubrorectalis do to maintain faecal continence
acts like a sphincter by contracting and decreasing the anorectal angle (skeletal so under voluntary control)
what are the two anal sphincters
interal (smooth muscle) and external (skeletal)