Anatomy of Faecal Incontinence

Question 1

Which muscle is known as the “pelvic floor”?

Answer 1

Levator ani muscle

Question 2

In which cavity is the rectum located?

Answer 2

Pelvic cavity

Question 3

At which level does the sigmoid colon become the rectum?

Answer 3

S3

Question 4

At which level does the rectum become the anal canal?

Answer 4

Anterior to the tip of the coccyx

Question 5

What lies immediately superior to the pelvic floor?

Answer 5

The rectal ampulla

Question 6

Which pouch lies anterior to the rectum in males?

Answer 6

Rectovesical

Question 7

Which pouch lies anterior to the rectum in females?

Answer 7

Rectouterine (Pouch of Douglas)

Question 8

Which muscle decreases the anorectal angle when voluntarily contracted to maintain continence?

Answer 8

Puborectalis (part of the levator ani muscle)

Question 9

How many sphincters are there in the anal canal?

Answer 9

2 (1 internal and 1 external)

Question 10

Which of the external and internal sphincters is skeletal muscle?

Answer 10

External (voluntary control)

Question 11

At what level do the sympathetic fibres travelling to the IMA plexus leave the spinal cord?

Answer 11

T12-L2

Question 12

At what level do the parasympathetic fibres and somatic motor fibres going to the rectum leave the spinal cord?

Answer 12

S2-S4

Question 13

Which nerve innervate the external anal sphincter?

Answer 13

Pudendal nerve- S2,3,4 anterior rami

S2,3,4 keeps the guts off the floor

Question 14

What is another name for the dentate line?

Answer 14

Pectinate line

Question 15

Lymphatic drainage below the pectinate line?

Answer 15

Superficial inguinal nodes

Question 16

Lymphatic drainage above the pectinate line?

Answer 16

Inferior mesenteric nodes (internal iliac nodes)