Reappraisal of the anatomy of the anorectal musculature

ABSTRACT

To study the anatomy of the anorectal musculature in the light of a new concept of the anatomy of this region. We used 16 stillbirths with normal anus, ranging in age between 17 and 24 gestation week. Sections were made in the sagittal plan along the anorectal region and the coronal plan at the level of the puborectalis sling. The external sphincter consists of three parts subcutaneous, superficial and deep. The puborectalis sling passes behind the lower rectum crossing the mid line. Every muscle of the anorectal musculature stand as distinct entity. Our findings are in line with the old teaching of the anatomy of this region and that the muscle fibers of the puborectalis and the external sphincter are cut and not just separated in the operations carried out on this region using the posterior sagittal approach: