anal sphincter
1
4.6
- noun
- /ˈeɪnəl ˈsfɪŋktər/
- Specialized
:
esfínter anal
- As judged by electromyography, all patients had severe anal sphincter damage before transposition, and the gracilis muscle innervation had not been damaged by transposition.
- the external anal sphincter
- anal sphincter damage
Examples
-
Serious incontinence due to anal sphincter damage should be treated by surgery.
Academic text (1992) -
The sensory threshold was determined by inflating the balloon and requesting the child to contract the external anal sphincter whenever rectal sensation was perceived.
Academic text (2000) -
"The anal sphincter, yes," the teacher admits.
Blog text (7) -
Are you tightening your anal sphincter muscle right now?
-
Serious fecal incontinence due to anal sphincter damage should be treated by surgery.
Academic text (1992) -
Subsequently, the balloon was filled with 20 mL of air, and the patient was instructed to increase abdominal pressure, relax the external anal sphincter, and defecate the balloon.
Academic text (2000) -
Inability to relax the external anal sphincter during defecation occurs in more than half of constipated patients and has been implicated as a treatable factor in constipation.
Academic text (2000) -
Pre-gelled disposable neonatal electrocardiogram electrodes were applied over dried perianal skin, covering the subcutaneous part of the external anal sphincter.
Academic text (2000) -
It is important for a doctor to assess the condition of the anal sphincter during a physical examination.
-
Weakness in the anal sphincter can lead to difficulties with bowel control.
Synonyms
17
7.5
A ring of muscle that closes an opening in the body
1
4.2
A ring of muscle that closes an opening in the body
A ring of muscle around the anus that controls bowel movements
A ring of muscle around the anus that controls passing stool
A ring of muscle that closes or controls an opening in the body
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents contribute directly to the meaning: 'anal' specifies location (at the anus) and 'sphincter' names a muscle that controls an opening, so the compound denotes the muscle controlling the anus in a literal, compositional way. This anatomical naming pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows normal noun phrase composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Anal sphincter is a name made of anal, the body opening at the back, and sphincter, an old Greek word meaning 'to tighten', so imagine a ring that tightens like a belt to close an opening. That's why it means 'the ring of muscle that controls the anus'.