Defaecation is a reflex action

A. True  Reflex defaecation can occur after complete spinal cord transection.

B. False  The stretch receptors triggering the reflex are in the rectal wall.

C. False  Parasympathetic nerves are the main motor nerves for defaecation.

D. True  The wish to defaecate that follows a meal is attributed to a ‘gastrocolic reflex’.

E. True  Forced expiration against a closed glottis facilitates the reflex by raising intraabdominal pressure and pushing faeces into the rectum; contraction of the voluntary muscle of the external sphincter can inhibit it.