sphincters

Circular closing muscles

Sphincters are ring-shaped muscles that control openings in the body by contracting to close them and relaxing to open them.

The anal sphincter controls the anus; others regulate the bladder, stomach, and pupils.

The surgery damaged his sphincter.

The singular sphincter appears more often, usually referring to the anus specifically.

anatomy

muscle

Contractile body tissue

ringClosed curve shape
valveFluid flow controller
circularForming a closed curve

esophageal · anal · pyloric · cardiac · urethral · pupillary · bladder · gastric · internal · external

physiology

contraction

Reduction in size

relaxationState of being unwound
peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
digestionBodily food breakdown

defecation · urination · swallowing · autonomic · involuntary · voluntary · nerve · reflex · pressure · tone

medical

incontinence

Inability to retain waste

dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
incompetenceLack of required skill
spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction

achalasia · stricture · surgery · repair · dilation · manometry · botox · fissure · hemorrhoids · reflux

Categories

digestionstomach acid, swallowing, digesting, chewing, digestion
musclesmuscle, biceps, triceps, abs, hamstrings
smooth muscle organsstomach, intestines, bladder, uterus, esophagus
gut anatomyintestine, intestines, bowel, bowels, gut

Opposites

muscle function and control type

sphinctersskeletal muscles

Voluntary movement tissue

voluntary muscles · biceps · quadriceps · extensors · pectorals

anatomical action

sphinctersdilators

Instruments that expand openings

levators · depressors

opening/closing mechanism

sphinctersdilators

Instruments that expand openings

apertures · orifices · lumens · valves

Phrases

anal sphincterMuscle controlling bowel opening

Family

sphincter, anal sphincter

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