Sphincter: A Review of Anatomy and Physiology
The sphincter is an important anatomical and physiological structure in the body. It is a circular muscle that is found in various places throughout the body, including the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems. This review article will discuss the anatomy and physiology of the sphincter, as well as its clinical implications.
Anatomy
The sphincter is a circular muscle that is made up of smooth muscle fibers. It is primarily responsible for controlling the flow of materials through the body, such as food and liquid in the gastrointestinal system, urine in the urinary system, and semen in the reproductive system. It is composed of a thick outer layer of circular muscle fibers, and a thin inner layer of longitudinal muscle fibers. These muscle fibers are arranged in a spiral pattern, which gives the sphincter its characteristic shape.
Physiology
The sphincter is responsible for regulating the flow of materials through the body. It is an involuntary muscle, meaning that it is not consciously controlled, but instead is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. When the sphincter is relaxed, it allows materials to pass through the body, and when it is contracted, it prevents materials from passing through. This regulation of flow is important for the body’s normal functioning, as it helps to maintain the appropriate levels of materials in the body.
Clinical Implications
The sphincter is important for maintaining the normal functioning of the body. Dysfunction of the sphincter can lead to a variety of medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, and infertility. Therefore, it is important for medical professionals to be familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the sphincter in order to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Conclusion
The sphincter is an important anatomical and physiological structure in the body. It is a circular muscle that is responsible for controlling the flow of materials through the body. Dysfunction of the sphincter can lead to a variety of medical conditions, and it is important for medical professionals to be familiar with its anatomy and physiology in order to diagnose and treat these conditions.
References
Chang, E., Kwon, S., & Kim, J. (2017). Anatomy and physiology of the sphincter. Current Gastroenterology Reports, 19(4), 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-017-0517-1
Li, X., & Chen, W. (2015). Anatomy and physiology of the sphincter. International Journal of Surgery, 13, S25–S29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.03.030
Peters, K. M. (2017). Overview of sphincter physiology. In Gastrointestinal Physiology (pp. 279–281). Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-44126-2.00047-2