A

Anal electromyography: medical procedure that reveals signs of nerve damage to the anal muscles

Anal sphincter: external and internal anal muscles that prevent stool from leaving the rectum

Anorectal manometry: a test that measures how well the nerves of the anus and rectum function

Anorectal ultrasonography: a test to evaluate the structure of the anal sphincter muscles

Antidiarrheal medications: medications that reduce diarrhea

Anus: opening at the rectum where defecation occurs

B

Biofeedback: a training technique in which people are taught to improve their health and performance by using signals from their own bodies

Bladder: urinary system organ that holds urine

Bowel incontinence: an involuntary bowel movement causing unexpected stool leakage

Burch procedure: a surgical procedure that provides elevation and support of the bladder neck by placing sutures in the vagina near the bladder; also called a urethropexy

C

Cervix: neck of the uterus; the portion of the uterus that extends into the vagina

Collagen: a natural protein that gives connective tissue flexibility and strength Colostomy: an operation that redirects stool through an opening in the abdomen instead of through the rectum

Computed tomography (CT): a type of x-ray that details pictures of structures inside the body Constipation: delayed or difficult defecation

Cystocele: condition in which the bladder protrudes into the vagina

Cystometrics: medical procedure that tests bladder function to determine which type of treatment is best for patients suffering from urinary incontinence

Cystometrogram: test conducted to determine the cause of bladder dysfunction

D

Defecation: discharge of feces through the anus

E

Enterocele: condition in which the small intestine protrudes into the vagina

F

Fascia: a sheet of connective tissue that covers or binds body structures together

Fecal incontinence: an involuntary bowel movement causing unexpected stool leakage

Fluoroscopy: a type of x-ray that uses pulsed x-ray beams to create moving images of working body structures

Functional incontinence: incontinence that occurs when certain situations cause the inability to go to the bathroom easily

H

Hemorrhoids: enlarged veins in the lower rectum

Hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus

I

Intravenous pyelography (IVP): a series of x-rays that show abnormalities in body structures

K

Kegel exercises: pelvic muscle exercises that strengthen the muscles that support the pelvic organs

L

Laxatives: medications that help restore normal bowel movements

M

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create a three-dimensional representation of body structures

Mixed incontinence: a combination of stress and urge incontinence

O

Overflow incontinence: form of incontinence that occurs when the bladder is not emptied completely at the time of voiding

P

Pelvic organ prolapse: condition in which a structure of the pelvis descends or falls into or outside of the vaginal canal

Pessary: a small plastic nonsurgical device that is placed in the vagina to prevent the vagina or uterus from falling

Proctography: a type of x-ray that determines how much and how well the rectum holds and evacuates stool

Proctosigmoidoscopy: an internal examination of the rectum that allows the physician to look for signs of disease or other problems that could cause fecal incontinence’

R

Rectocele: condition in which the rectum protrudes into the vagina

Rectum: last section of the large intestine

Reflex incontinence: form of incontinence that occurs in women with certain birth defects and chronic medical conditions that damage the spinal cord

S

Sling procedure: surgical procedure in which a material called fascia, which is connective tissue that holds other tissues together, is inserted underneath the urethra for support

Sphincteroplasty: surgery to repair a damaged or weakened anal sphincter

Stool softeners: medication that prevents stool from becoming hard

Stress incontinence: incontinence in which leakage occurs immediately after activities that put stress on the bladder, such as sneezing, coughing and lifting heavy objects

U

Ureters: one of two tubes that takes urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder

Urethra: the tube that drains into the bladder

Urethral sphincter: muscle that holds the bladder closed

Urge incontinence: the sudden feeling that the bladder needs emptied

Urinary incontinence: accidental leakage of urine from the bladder

Uterine prolapse: condition in which weakened pelvic muscles cause the uterus to drop, allowing the cervix to fall into the vaginal canal

Uterus: organ located in the female pelvis where the fetus develops

V

Vagina: organ that serves as the birth canal and organ of sexual intercourse in females

Vaginal vault prolapse: condition in which tears in the tissue of the vagina cause the front and back of the vagina wall to fall

Voiding: act of contracting and emptying the bladder