DEFECATION REFLEX Meaning and
Definition
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The defecation reflex refers to the innate physiological process by which feces are eliminated from the body. It is an automatic response triggered by the presence of waste material in the rectum, which stimulates nerve receptors located in the rectal lining. The defecation reflex involves a coordinated sequence of events that culminate in the expulsion of fecal matter.
When feces accumulate in the rectum, pressure receptors send signals to the spinal cord and then to the brain, activating the defecation reflex. This reflex initiates the relaxation of the internal anal sphincter, which is a smooth muscle that normally keeps the anal canal closed, allowing waste material to move from the rectum to the anal canal. Simultaneously, the external anal sphincter, under voluntary control, contracts to temporarily maintain continence.
Once the defecation reflex is engaged, it triggers a series of muscular contractions known as peristalsis within the large intestine. These contractions move the feces towards the rectum, building pressure within the rectal walls and signaling the need for evacuation.
Ultimately, when the appropriate external cues are present (such as appropriate bathroom facilities and privacy), voluntary control of the external anal sphincter can be exercised to allow the release of feces through the relaxed anal canal, resulting in defecation.
The defecation reflex helps to maintain bowel regularity and prevent the build-up of waste materials within the body.
Common Misspellings for DEFECATION REFLEX
- sefecation reflex
- xefecation reflex
- cefecation reflex
- fefecation reflex
- refecation reflex
- eefecation reflex
- dwfecation reflex
- dsfecation reflex
- ddfecation reflex
- drfecation reflex
- d4fecation reflex
- d3fecation reflex
- dedecation reflex
- dececation reflex
- devecation reflex
- degecation reflex
- detecation reflex
- derecation reflex
- defwcation reflex
Etymology of DEFECATION REFLEX
The etymology of the word "defecation" can be traced back to the Latin word "defaecationem", which is derived from the verb "defaecare" meaning "to cleanse from dregs" or "to rid of impurities". This Latin word is a combination of "de" which indicates removal, and "faex" meaning "dregs" or "sediments". Therefore, "defecation" refers to the act of expelling waste from the body.
The term "reflex" has a different origin but is commonly used to describe an involuntary or automatic response to a stimulus. It comes from the Latin term "reflexus", which means "bent back" or "reverted". In the context of the "defecation reflex", it refers to the automatic response or contraction of muscles in the digestive system that leads to the expulsion of waste.
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