Document Detail


Functional activity of the rectum: A conduit organ or a storage organ or both?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16874870     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
AIM: To investigate whether the degree of rectal distension could define the rectum functions as a conduit or reservoir. METHODS: Response of the rectal and anal pressure to 2 types of rectal balloon distension, rapid voluminous and slow gradual distention, was recorded in 21 healthy volunteers (12 men, 9 women, age 41.7 +/- 10.6 years). The test was repeated with sphincteric squeeze on urgent sensation. RESULTS: Rapid voluminous rectal distension resulted in a significant rectal pressure increase (P < 0.001), an anal pressure decline (P < 0.05) and balloon expulsion. The subjects felt urgent sensation but did not feel the 1st rectal sensation. On urgent sensation, anal squeeze caused a significant rectal pressure decrease (P < 0.001) and urgency disappearance. Slow incremental rectal filling drew a rectometrogram with a "tone" limb representing a gradual rectal pressure increase during rectal filling, and an "evacuation limb" representing a sharp pressure increase during balloon expulsion. The curve recorded both the 1st rectal sensation and the urgent sensation. CONCLUSION: The rectum has apparently two functions: transportation (conduit) and storage, both depending on the degree of rectal filling. If the fecal material received by the rectum is small, it is stored in the rectum until a big volume is reached that can affect a degree of rectal distension sufficient to initiate the defecation reflex. Large volume rectal distension evokes directly the rectoanal inhibitory reflex with a resulting defecation.
Authors:
Ahmed Shafik; Randa M Mostafa; Ismail Shafik; Olfat Ei-Sibai; Ali A Shafik
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  World journal of gastroenterology : WJG     Volume:  12     ISSN:  1007-9327     ISO Abbreviation:  World J. Gastroenterol.     Publication Date:  2006 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-07-28     Completed Date:  2006-10-31     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100883448     Medline TA:  World J Gastroenterol     Country:  China    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  4549-52     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. shafik@ahmedshafik.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Anal Canal / physiology
Balloon Dilatation
Constipation / physiopathology
Defecation / physiology*
Feces*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pressure
Rectum / physiology*
Reflex / physiology
Sigmoidoscopy

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Conserved balance of hepatocyte nuclear DNA content in mononuclear and binuclear hepatocyte populati...
Next Document:  Azithromycin in one week quadruple therapy for H pylori eradication in Iran.