Anal sphincter complex

Fig. 1.8a-c. Anal sphincter complex, a Macroscopic preparation of an adult female with anococcygeal body (asterisks), b Sagittal section (500 pm) of a 20-week-old female fetus with deep (arrows) and superficial (arrowheads) portion. X 10. c Axial section (5 mm) of an adult female, fusion of the external sphincter (arrow) and the puborectalis (arrowhead). xO.6... 

Fritsch H, Brenner E, Lienemann A, Ludwikowski B (2002) Anal sphincter complex. Dis Colon Rectum 45 188-194... 

The most common surgically correctable cause of fecal incontinence in woman is childbirth with injury of the sphincter. External sphincter injuries occur in 6%-30% of woman [51 ]. It should be dififerentiated between complete or incomplete sphincter disruptions. Our morphological investigation [20] supports the fact that the external anal sphincter is not a totally circular musde. We have thoroughly described the parts of the sphincter complex, in order to help the pelvic radiologists and surgeons to identify these structures and, if possible, to reconstruct them in a meticulous way. 

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