Colon and pelvic floor anatomy and physiology

Abstract Colonic motility functions to propel luminal contents from caecum to distal colon and the rectum and anal canal within the pelvic floor assist in storage and later removal of luminal contents in a coordinated and socially-acceptable fashion. The coordination requires intact gut–brain bidirectional interactions that involve largely the neural and myogenic mechanisms. Besides overviews of anatomy and physiology of colon and pelvic floor, the current chapter puts emphasis on current understanding of novel motility mechanisms in these organs.