THE MORPHOLOGICAL-DIFFERENTIATION OF THE INTERNAL SPHINCTER MUSCLE OF THE ANUS IN THE HUMAN EMBRYO AND FETUS (26.01.1990)

The opening of the anal canal appears to be the factor which initiated the differentiation of the sphincter apparatus. The internal sphincter m. of the anus is entirely composed of smooth muscle as distinct from the striated fibers of the m. puborectalis, and the external sphincter which is a mixture of smooth and striated fibers (of skeletal type). It develops in the terminal part of the internal circular layer of the rectal m., outside which are longitudinal fibers which descend early to form the external sphincter (beginning around the third month). This study shows that the internal sphincter is scarcely evident before 12 SA. Thus continence between 10 and 12 SA (after the closure of the anal membrane) is closely related to the other components of the sphincter apparatus. On the other hand, the internal sphincter has become well formed after 28 to 30 SA and then plays a direct role in maintaining continence. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.