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Anal sphincter anatomy

Anal sphincter anatomy

Overview

The muscles in the anal sphincter are used in the process of defecation.

Review Date 5/15/2020

Updated by: Sovrin M. Shah, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.