ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE RECTUM AND ANUS

Anorectal physiology is complex and involves the interaction of multip le mechanisms. Advances in physiological testing have led to a great d eal of research, which has increased our knowledge of normal and disor dered physiology, and modified our therapeutic approach. As a conseque nce, many concepts in anatomy have been revised. We have reviewed aspe cts of the anatomy and physiology of the rectum and anus together with the applications of the new concepts.