Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Anorectal functioning in fecal incontinence.

M L Allen1, W C Orr, M G Robinson

  • 1Presbyterian Hospital, Department of Clinical Physiology, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|January 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Why are US military personnel prescribed transdermal fentanyl patches?

BMJ military health·2021
Same author

Orgasm in female primates.

American journal of primatology·2020
Same author

How Children Learn to Navigate the Symbolic World of Pictures: The Importance of the Artist's Mind and Differentiating Picture Modalities.

Advances in child development and behavior·2017
Same author

Safety of sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy in a group of university-affiliated hospitals: a prospective cohort study.

British journal of anaesthesia·2017
Same author

Survey of anaesthetists' practice of sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Anaesthesia and intensive care·2016
Same author

Quality of recovery from sedation for endoscopy.

Anaesthesia and intensive care·2016
Same journal

Rapid Gastric Emptying: Insights from a Large Cohort Study on a Controversial Disorder.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same journal

Readability, Quality, Understandability, and Actionability of ChatGPT Generated GI Patient Education Versus AGA Patient Center.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same journal

Distinctive Endoscopic Ultrasound Features of Pancreatic Adenosquamous Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same journal

FIGThe Efficacy and Safety of Clip-Assisted Endoscopic Cyanoacrylate Injection for Gastric Varices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same journal

Gastroscopic Removal of a Duodenal Foreign Body in a 94-Year-Old Patient.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same journal

Colorectal Cancer Outcomes Among Disaggregated Asian Subgroups: a 2006-2020 SEER Analysis.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
See all related articles

Aging weakens anal muscles, potentially causing fecal incontinence. However, improved rectal sensation in continent individuals helps prevent leakage, even with similar muscle strength to incontinent patients.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Gerontology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Fecal incontinence is a common issue, particularly in older adults.
  • Anal sphincter muscle strength and rectal sensation are crucial for continence.
  • The aging process's impact on anorectal sensorimotor function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare anal sphincter function and rectal sensation in fecal incontinence patients, continent individuals, and younger controls.
  • To investigate the role of aging in anorectal sensorimotor function.
  • To identify factors contributing to fecal incontinence in older adults.

Main Methods:

  • Manometric testing of external anal sphincter and puborectalis contractions.
  • Assessment of internal and external anal sphincter relaxation.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Rectal distension threshold testing for sensation.
  • Saline retention tests in incontinent and normal subjects.

    • Main Results:

    • Younger controls showed stronger anal sphincter contractions than both patient groups.
    • No significant differences in sphincter relaxation were observed between groups.
    • Incontinent patients had a higher threshold for detecting rectal distension.
    • Incontinent patients retained less rectally infused saline compared to controls.
    • Aging appears to weaken striated anal canal muscles, but continence can be maintained.

    Conclusions:

    • While aging may weaken anal muscles, it doesn't always lead to fecal incontinence.
    • Enhanced rectal sensation in continent individuals aids in preventing incontinence.
    • The afferent limb of the anorectal sensorimotor mechanism remains functional with aging.