The Importance Of Sphincter

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In anatomy, sphincter is the name given to an annular muscle located in the orifice of a body cavity, and whose function is to open and close, preventing or allowing the passage of a substances (such as secretion) outside or into the cavity. This way, the sphincter may close to retain substances within the body or a specific body organ, or may open allowing these substances to pass from one organ to another, or to be expelled from the body. According to several specialized publications, there are more than fifty sphincters in the human body. Next, we will offer you some information about sphincter control and some sphincters our body has.

What is Sphincter control?
Sphincter control is the human capacity to relax or contract sphincter muscles at will, although as we will see later, there are some sphincters we do not voluntarily control. Anal and bladder sphincter control is perceived as particularly important by people, considering they prevent us from the unexpected urine and fecal matter excretions. As such, much emphasis is placed on control of the sphincter during early childhood, when it is necessary kids to develop a control over their bowels. Generally, children begin to develop this capacity between 18 and 24 months. On other hand, …show more content…

Actually, there are two of them, a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and an upper esophageal sphincter (UES). According to experts, the LES is a bunch of muscles located at the low end of the esophagus (where it meets with the stomach) and prevents stomach content, acid, among other substances, from returning from the stomach to the esophagus. In turn, the UES is also a collection of muscles located at the top of the esophagus. These are consciously controlled muscles, which prevent food and secretions from going down the trachea (windpipe). We use them when vomiting, belching, eating or

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