['The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship among the degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse, anorectal symptoms, and physiology.', "This was a prospective study that included patients with fecal dysfunction and prolapse/urinary symptoms. A validated instrument for fecal incontinence and the ROME II criteria were used. Anal physiologic testing was performed selectively on the basis of bowel symptoms. Patients were divided into 2 groups by pelvic organ prolapse quantification score clinical examination: group I: Ap/Bp < -1, and group II: Ap/Bp > or = -1. The association among the degree of prolapse, bowel symptoms, and physiologic findings was examined with the use of Fisher's exact test and logistic regression models.", 'One hundred thirty-two patients with a mean age of 63 years (range, 24-90 years) were evaluated. There were 62 patients (47%) in group I and 70 patients (53%) in group II. Overall, 40.9% of the patients had constipation/obstructed defecation, and 25% of the patients had fecal incontinence. Ninety-seven patients underwent physiologic testing. At manometry, both resting and squeeze pressures were significantly higher in patients in group II. Overall, patients with a higher resting pressure (P = .001) and increased rectal capacity (P = .008) were more likely to be continent, and patients with a lower squeeze pressure were more likely to be incontinent (P = .001). Ultrasonography demonstrated anterior sphincter defect in 21.9% of the patients and a perineal body of <10 mm in 35.6% of the patients, with no correlation with the degree of prolapse. Patients with sphincter defects were 3 times more likely to have fecal incontinence (95% CI, 1.03, 8.75; P = .04). There was no association between electromyography and pudendal nerve terminal latencies and the degree of prolapse. Patients with prolonged pudendal nerve terminal latencies were more likely to be incontinent (P = .033). On defecography, 28% of the patients had concomitant enterocele, and 21.3% of the patients had intussusception, which was not detected by physical examination.'] Does posterior vaginal wall prolapse correlate with fecal symptoms or objective measures of anorectal function?