Physiology

Emma Carrington (United Kingdom) at ESCP Vilnius 2023

Charles Knowles (United Kingdom) at ESCP Vilnius 2023

Pelvic Floor session - Emma Carrington (UK) at ESCP Vienna 2019

The main functions of the colon and rectum are transport and storage of feces, absorption of water and electrolytes, and absorption of short-chain fatty acids. The colon and rectum have specific contraction patterns that are mainly controlled by the enteric nervous system. Furthermore, colorectal contractions are modulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, several hormones, and the immune system. The physiology of the colon and rectum undergoes diurnal and postprandial changes.

Anal continence depends on complicated interactions between the internal and external anal sphincters, the puborectalis muscle, rectal compliance, anorectal sensibility, anorectal reflexes, and colorectal motility.

Defecation is usually initiated by colonic mass movements. Stretching of the rectal wall stimulates rectal contractions through the defecation reflex and relaxation of the internal anal sphincters through the rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Defecation is facilitated by relaxation of the puborectalis muscle and enforced by a Valsalva maneuver.

Free Paper (Miscellaneous) - Andrew Werner at ESCP Dublin 2015

Free Paper (Miscellaneous) - STARSurg Collaborative (Student Audit and Research Collaborative) at ESCP Dublin 2015

Oral Poster (Miscellaneous and Neoplasia) - Isaac Seow-En at ESCP Dublin 2015

Short Paper - Mia Small (UK) at Tripartite Colorectal Meeting 2014

Short Paper - Deborah Wright (New Zealand) at Tripartite Colorectal Meeting 2014

Short Paper - Shaheel Sahebally (Ireland) at Tripartite Colorectal Meeting 2014

Oral poster - Michael Feretis at ESCP Belgrade 2013