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Noun

defecation reflex - normal response to the presence of feces in the rectum

inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus

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References in periodicals archive

(7) Knowledge of normal gut motility and the defecation reflex helps nurses understand the causes and treatment of constipation.

Constipation: motility and the gut

However, predictable defecation is possible for people with spinal cord injuries above the sacral vertebrae because they are likely to have high sphincter tone to keep the anal canal closed to prevent incontinence and an intact defecation reflex that can be stimulated to initiate defecation.

In contrast, both the defecation urge and defecation reflex are lost when the lumbosacral nerves are damaged (e.g., sacral spinal cord injury, cauda equine syndrome).

Gaining control over fecal incontinence

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