In the human body, everything is interconnected. In order to carry out any of its functions, the combined work of several organs or even systems is needed. An example is the digestive tract. Food enters the stomach and is digested in its cavity. While this process is happening, it cannot go any further. Once the stomach has fulfilled its function, food needs to go down into the duodenal cavity. In order for this to happen, a special hole must open that will allow a partially digested lump to pass through. All other organs work on this principle, this applies to the urinary, reproductive and other systems. An important role in this is played by the sphincter. What is it? Thanks to this organ, a substance is transferred (digestive lump, bile, pancreatic juices, feces, urine, sperm) from one cavity to another.
Sphincter - what is it?
From Greek, the name of this body is translated as “squeeze”. Already from the name it becomes clear that the sphincters are able to change their shape, that is, relax or, conversely, strain. With their participation, many processes occur in our body. To understand what their meaning is, it is necessary to answer the question: "Sphincter - what is it?" This organ consists of muscle tissue, therefore, has a pronounced ability to contract. Thanks to the sphincters, we can control some of the natural processes of our body, eat, talk. In the cardiovascular system, their role will be played by valves that discharge blood, deposit it, etc.
Sphincter classification
Each sphincter is a circular muscle, however, they have differences. These organs can be classified according to various criteria. There are anatomical and functional sphincters. The first group is designed organ structures, the presence of which is obvious. The second are in the body in smaller quantities. A striking example is the lower esophageal sphincter, which does not have a clear anatomical structure, and therefore cannot be visualized. Nevertheless, it performs the same function: if necessary, narrows or widens the organ cavity. The following classification is based on muscle type. Distinguish striated and smooth muscle sphincters. The former are arbitrary, that is, controlled by the human mind. The second - involuntary sphincters, they are represented by muscle pulp, which close and open the lumen of the digestive tract. Depending on their belonging to a particular system, another classification is distinguished. It includes digestive, excretory and visual sphincters.
What is a sphincter? Characteristics of individual species
Based on the classification, which is based on belonging to a
functional system, it can be understood that each of the groups has several subspecies. Sphincter is a muscle capable of promoting the movement of matter not only from the cavity of one organ to another, but also between its parts. Most of all, this fact applies to the
digestive system, so it includes many of these organs. These include: the upper and lower esophagus, duodenal, thin and large intestinal sphincters, as well as the pylorus of the stomach. A separate group that enters the digestive tract is the compressors of the biliary and pancreatic systems. The genitourinary organs contain the internal and external sphincter of the urethra. Only one such muscle belongs to the visual system. Thanks to this sphincter, the pupil is dilated and narrowed.
Sphincters of biliary and pancreatic systems
This group is of great importance in medical practice. Since pancreatitis is a very dangerous disease, it is first necessary to determine the functional activity of these muscles. The largest of them is the sphincter of Oddi. It is located in the Vater papilla and is required for the flow of bile and
pancreatic juice into the lumen of the duodenum. With a weak functional activity of this sphincter, reverse casting (reflux) of these substances can be observed. In this case, corrosion and gradual death of the pancreas occurs. Sphincter has 3 components. Each of them represents a small muscle and departs from a specific organ, then they merge in the region of the Vater papilla. These parts are the Westphal sphincter (separates the duodenal cavity), the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts.
Colon sphincters
As you know, the digestive tract consists of several departments, in each of which there is a certain process of food processing. In the cavity of the small intestine, the nutrients necessary for the body are absorbed. In the future, food is considered already completely digested. Therefore, in the large intestine there is only absorption of water, as well as the formation and promotion of feces. In each of the departments there are sphincters that delay (and subsequently miss) processed body products. Of greatest importance are the anal circular muscles. There are 2 types of them: involuntary and voluntary and sphincter. The first consists of smooth muscle tissue and passes stool into the ampoule of the rectum. The external anal sphincter goes directly into the environment and is controlled by the human mind.
Disruption of the digestive sphincter
With poor performance of the circular muscles, problems arise throughout the body. With insufficient activity or complete atrophy of any sphincter, the whole system to which it belongs suffers. If this applies to the upper digestive tract, then there is a reverse casting of the contents. This is manifested by the appearance of frequent vomiting of food, bile, and acidic masses. Its nature depends on the department in which the reflux occurred (esophagus, stomach, duodenum). Violation of the sphincter of the lower digestive tract is manifested by prolonged stagnation of feces, abdominal pain. If this condition is not diagnosed in time, intestinal obstruction may develop.
Fecal and urinary incontinence
If the patient complains of an uncontrolled act of defecation or urination, then a violation of the sphincter should be suspected. Involuntary fluid release can occur with poor contractility of the circular muscle. If the bladder is not able to retain urine in its cavity, then they speak of sphincter insufficiency, which can be true and false. The same applies to the act of defecation. In case of violation of the external anal sphincter, a person can not control the process, and fecal incontinence occurs. Each of these pathologies causes not only physical, but also moral harm, therefore, it is necessary to seek surgical help on time.
Artificial sphincters
In some situations, it is not possible to activate a circular muscle. Most often this occurs with advanced diseases or with congenital absence or removal of this organ. In such cases, an artificial sphincter is used. In most cases, such operations end favorably and make life easier for patients.
So sphincter - what is it? This muscle is of great importance for the body, contributes to the implementation of its functions and prevents many pathological conditions. Now you know what the sphincter is. Photos of this body are presented in the article.