Defecation - wikipedia Defecation See also Defecation ( band ), defector, and defalcation. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( March 2008 ) Anatomy of the anus and rectum Defecation is the final act of digestion, by which organisms eliminate solid, semisolid, or liquid waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Humans expel feces with a frequency varying from a few times daily to a few times weekly. Waves of muscular contraction ( known as peristalsis ) in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum. Undigested food may also be expelled this way, in a process called egestion. Open defecation, the practice of defecating outside without using a toilet of any kind, is still widespread in some developing countries, for example in India. Contents 1 Description 1.1 Physiology 1.2 Voluntary and involuntary control 2 Posture 3 Health aspects 4 Society and culture 4.1 Anal cleansing after defecation 4.2 Mythology and tradition 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading Description Physiology The rectum ampulla ( anatomically also : ampulla recti ) temporarily stores fecal waste. As the waste fills the rectum and expands the rectal walls, nervous system stretch receptors in the rectal walls stimulate the desire to defecate. This urge to defecate arises from the reflex contraction of rectal muscles, relaxation of the internal anal sphincter, and an initial contraction of the skeletal muscle of the external anal sphincter. If the urge is not acted upon, the material in the rectum is often returned to the colon by reverse peristalsis, where more water is absorbed and the faeces is stored until the next mass peristaltic movement of the transverse and descending colon. If defecation is delayed for a prolonged period the fecal matter may harden, resulting in constipation. If defecation occurs too fast, before excess liquid is absorbed, diarrhea may occur. When the rectum is full, an increase in intra-rectal pressure forces apart the walls of the anal canal, allowing the fecal matter to enter the canal. The rectum shortens as material is forced into the anal canal and peristaltic waves push the feces out of the rectum. The internal and external anal sphincters along with the puborectalis muscle allow the feces to be passed by muscles pulling the anus up over the exiting feces. Defecation is normally assisted by taking a deep breath and trying to expel this air against a closed glottis ( Valsalva maneuver ). This contraction of expiratory chest muscles, diaphragm, abdominal wall muscles, and pelvic diaphragm exerts pressure on the digestive tract. Ventilation at this point temporarily ceases as the lungs push the chest diaphragm down to exert the pressure. Thoracic blood pressure rises and as a reflex response the amount of blood pumped by the heart decreases. Death has been known to occur in cases where defecation causes the blood pressure to rise enough to cause the rupture of an aneurysm or to dislodge blood clots ( see thrombosis ). Also, in releasing the Valsalva maneuver blood pressure falls ; this, coupled with standing up quickly to leave the toilet, can result in a blackout. During defecation, the external sphincter muscles relax. The anal and urethral sphincter muscles are closely linked. Experiments by Harrison Weed at the Ohio State University Medical Center have shown they can only be contracted together, not individually, and that both show relaxation during urination. This explains why defecation is frequently accompanied by urination. Voluntary and involuntary control Defecation may be involuntary or voluntary. Young children learn voluntary control through the process of toilet training. Once trained, loss of control, called fecal incontinence, may be caused by physical injury, nerve injury, prior surgeries ( such as an episiotomy ), constipation, diarrhea, loss of storage capacity in the rectum, intense fright, inflammatory bowel disease, psychological or neurological factors, childbirth, or death. Posture Main article : Human defecation postures The positions and modalities of defecation are culture - dependent. Squat toilets are used by the vast majority of the world, including most of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The use of sit - down toilets in the Western world is a relatively recent development, beginning in the 19th century with the advent of indoor plumbing. Health aspects Attempting forced expiration of breath against a closed airway ( the valsalva maneuver ) is sometimes practiced to induce defecation while on a toilet. Cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular complications can in rare cases occur due to attempting to defecate using the valsalva maneuver. Valsalva retinopathy is another pathological syndrome associated with the Valsalva maneuver. Society and culture Anal cleansing after defecation Main article : Anal cleansing The anus and buttocks may be cleansed after defecation with toilet paper, similar paper products, or other absorbent material. In many cultures, such as Hindu and Muslim, water is used for anal cleansing after defecation, either in addition to using toilet paper or exclusively. When water is used for anal cleansing after defecation, toilet paper may be used for drying the area afterwards. Mythology and tradition The caganer is a defecating figurine in Spanish Nativity scenes Some peoples have culturally significant stories in which defecation plays a role. For example : In an Alune and Wemale legend from the island of Seram, Maluku Province, Indonesia, the mythical girl Hainuwele defecates valuable objects. One of the traditions of Catalonia ( Spain ) relates to the Caganer, a figurine depicting the act of defecation which appears in nativity scenes in Catalonia and neighbouring areas with Catalan culture. The exact origin of the Caganer is lost, but the tradition has existed since at least the 18th century. See also Artist 's Shit Constipation Hemorrhoid Rectal tenesmus - a feeling of incomplete defecation Shit References This article lacks ISBNs for the books listed in it. Please make it easier to conduct research by listing ISBNs. If the ( ( Cite book ) ) or ( ( citation ) ) templates are in use, you may add ISBNs automatically, or discuss this issue on the talk page. ( February 2017 ) Jump up ^ WHO and UNICEF ( 2017 ) Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene : 2017 Update and SDG Baselines. Geneva : World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the United Nations Children 's Fund ( UNICEF ), 2017 Jump up ^ NIH. `` Bowel Movement ''. Medline. Retrieved 13 September 2014. Jump up ^ ( Cardio - vascular Events at Defecation : Are They Unavoidable ? - Medical Hypotheses, Jul 1990, 32 ( 3 ) : 231 - 3 ) Jump up ^ `` Fecal incontinence - Causes ''. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved 9 September 2014. Jump up ^ Kira, Alexander ( 1976 ). The Bathroom ( 2. ed. New and expanded ed. ). New York, N.Y. : Viking Pr. pp. 115 -- 116. ISBN 0 - 670 - 00612 - 2. Jump up ^ A History of Technology, Vol. IV : The Industrial Revolution, 1750 - 1850. ( C. Singer, E Holmyard, A Hall, T. Williams eds ) Oxford Clarendon Press, pps. 507 - 508, 1958 Jump up ^ Fisher - Hubbard AO, Kesha K, Diaz F, Njiwaji C, Chi P, Schmidt CJ ( 2016 ). `` Commode Cardia - Death by Valsalva Maneuver : A Case Series ''. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 61 ( 6 ) : 1541 -- 1545. PMC 3526029. PMID 22961088. doi : 10.1111 / 1556 - 4029.13196. Jump up ^ Ikeda T, Oomura M, Sato C, Anan C, Yamada K, Kamimoto K ( 2016 ). `` Cerebral infarction due to cardiac myxoma developed with the loss of consciousness immediately after defecation - a case report ''. Rinsho Shinkeigaku ( Clinical Neurology ). 56 ( 5 ) : 328 -- 333. PMID 27151226. doi : 10.5692 / clinicalneurol. cn - 000856. Jump up ^ Gibran, SK ; Kenawy, N ; Wong, D ; Hiscott, P ( 2007 ). `` Changes in the retinal inner limiting membrane associated with Valsalva retinopathy ''. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 91 ( 5 ) : 701 -- 2. PMC 1954736. PMID 17446519. doi : 10.1136 / bjo. 2006.104935. Jump up ^ Connor AJ ( 2010 ). `` Valsalva - related retinal venous dilation caused by defaecation ''. Acta Ophthalmologica. 88 ( 4 ) : 328 -- 33. PMID 27151226. doi : 10.1111 / j. 1755 - 3768.2009. 01624. x. Jump up ^ `` Hainuwele ''. The Oxford Companion to World Mythology. ISBN 9780195156690. Jump up ^ `` A traditional Nativity scene, Catalan - style ''. BBC News. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2010. Further reading This article lacks ISBNs for the books listed in it. Please make it easier to conduct research by listing ISBNs. If the ( ( Cite book ) ) or ( ( citation ) ) templates are in use, you may add ISBNs automatically, or discuss this issue on the talk page. ( February 2017 ) Deeb, Benjamin ( 2004 ). Healthy to the Core : How to Measure Effective Defecation. Greenwood Press. Widmaier, Raff & Strang ( 2006 ). Vanders ' Human Physiology, the mechanisms of body function. Chapter 15. McGraw Hill. Symptoms and signs : digestive system and abdomen ( R10 -- R19, 787,789 ) Upper Nausea Vomiting Heartburn Aerophagia Dysphagia oropharyngeal esophageal Odynophagia Halitosis Xerostomia Hypersalivation Burping Wet burp Defaecation Flatulence Fecal incontinence Encopresis Blood : Fecal occult blood Rectal tenesmus Constipation Obstructed defecation Diarrhea Rectal discharge Psoas sign Obturator sign Rovsing 's sign Hamburger sign Heel tap sign Aure - Rozanova 's sign Dunphy sign Alder 's sign Lockwood 's sign Rosenstein 's sign Abdomen Abdominal pain Acute abdomen Colic Baby colic Abdominal guarding Rebound tenderness Abdominal distension Bloating Ascites Tympanites Shifting dullness Bulging flanks Fluid wave test Abdominal mass Hepatosplenomegaly Hepatomegaly Splenomegaly Jaundice Mallet - Guy sign Puddle sign Toilets Equipment Automatic toilet paper dispenser Ballcock Bidet Bidet shower Brush Cistern Electronic bidet Flushometer Roll holder Seat Seat cover Self - cleaning toilet bowl Self - cleaning toilet seat Toilet paper Trap ( U-bend ) Types Aircraft Accessible Arborloo Bedpan Blair Board Bucket Cathole Chemical Composting Container - based Dry Dual flush Dunny Flush Freezing Head ( boat ) Hudo ( Scouting ) Incinerating Latrine Low - flush Passenger train Pay Pit Pig Portable Public Sanisette ( self - cleaning ) Space Squat Treebog Unisex public Urine - diverting dry Washlet Cultural aspects Adult diaper Bathroom privileges Feminine hygiene Flying toilet Honeywagon Incontinence pad Islamic toilet etiquette Istinja Latrinalia Manual scavenging Outhouse Privatization of public toilets Rest area Scatology Shit Museum Slopping out Toilet ( room ) Toilet god Toilet humor Toilet paper orientation Toileting Toilet training Toilet - related injuries and deaths Toilets in Japan Toilet Twinning Urinary segregation Washroom attendant Urine - related aspects Female urination device Interactive urinal Pissoir Pollee Urination Urinal Urinal ( health care ) Urine collection device Urine diversion Feces - related aspects Anal cleansing Defecation postures Fecal sludge management Open defecation Historical terms Aphedron Chamber pot Close stool Commode Garderobe Gong farmer Groom of the stool Pail closet Privy midden Reredorter See also History of water supply and sanitation Sanitation Sewage treatment World Toilet Day Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Defecation&oldid=801936491 '' Categories : Digestive system Colorectal surgery Medical signs Feces Excretion Symptoms and signs : Digestive system and abdomen Hidden categories : Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism Articles needing additional references from March 2008 All articles needing additional references All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from February 2013 Articles with unsourced statements from December 2007 Articles lacking ISBNs Talk View source Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca Беларуская Български Boarisch Bosanski Brezhoneg Català Čeština Deutsch Eesti Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 हिन्दी Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Latviešu Lietuvių Македонски Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Română Runa Simi Русский Scots Simple English Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi தமிழ் ไทย Українська Tiếng Việt Winaray 粵語 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 22 September 2017, at 21 : 50. 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Question: what is expelled out of the body as faeces through the anus
Answer: solid, semisolid, or liquid waste material