defecation

(noun)

Act or process of voiding feces from bowels.

Related Terms

Examples of defecation in the following topics:

  • Defecation Reflex

    • Defecation is a combination of voluntary and involuntary processes with enough force to remove waste material from the digestive system.
    • In the adult human, the process of defecation is normally a combination of both voluntary and involuntary processes with enough force to remove waste material from the digestive system.
    • The relaxation of the internal anal sphincter causes a signal to be sent to the brain indicating an urge to defecate.
    • If defecation is delayed for a prolonged period, the fecal matter may harden and autolyze, resulting in constipation.
    • Once the voluntary signal to defecate is sent back from the brain, the final phase begins.

  • Gastrointestinal Reflex Pathways

    • In addition, there are three overarching reflexes that control the movement, digestion, and defecation of food and food waste: the enterogastric reflex, the gastrocolic reflex, and the gastroileal reflex.
    • Thus, this reflex is responsible for the urge to defecate following a meal.
    • It works with the gastrocolic reflex to stimulate the urge to defecate.

  • Parasympathetic Responses

    • Its roles include stimulation of "rest and digest" activities that occur when the body is at rest, including sexual arousal, salivation, lacrimation (tears), urination, digestion, and defecation.
    • A useful acronym to summarize the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system is SLUDD (salivation, lacrimation, urination, digestion, and defecation).

  • Anatomy of the Large Intestine

    • The large intestine absorbs water from remaining indigestible food matter and compacts feces prior to defecation.

  • Absorption and Feces Formation in the Large Intestine

    • The large intestine absorbs water from the chyme and stores feces until they can be defecated.

  • Muscularis

    • This is generally when one gets the urge to defecate.

  • Dietary Fiber

    • Dietary fiber, or sometimes roughage, is the indigestible portion of plant foods having two main components: soluble (prebiotic, viscous) fiber that is readily fermented in the colon into gases and physiologically active byproducts; and insoluble fiber that is metabolically inert, absorbing water as it moves through the digestive system, easing defecation.
    • Insufficient fiber in the diet can complicate defecation.

  • Syncope

    • Vasovagal (situational) syncope, one of the most common types, may occur in scary, embarrassing or uneasy situations, or during blood drawing, coughing, urination or defecation.

  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

    • The later gives a rich supply to the Sigmoid colon, rectum, and anus, and are important in controlling defecation.

  • Digestive Processes of the Large Intestine

    • It also compacts feces, and stores fecal matter in the rectum until it can be defecated.