title: The anal sphincter.
abstract: The anal sphincter has not generally stimulated great scientific interest although anatomical and physiological disorders of this region are common and may be the cause of considerable suffering to the individual affected. Over the last decade there has, however, been an accelerating interest in the function of this important sphincter.
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000503:physiopathology; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000503:physiopathology; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000503:physiopathology; D012018:Reflex; D014456:Ulcer / Q000503:physiopathology