Dan has injured his spinal cord above the conus medullaris and has recovered form spinal shock.
Explain how Dan’s spinal cord injury results in the loss of voluntary control of defecation.
With Dan’s spinal cord injury, he can induce defecation at a selected time using an enema. How does an enema cause a bowel movement in Dan?
Dan has found that an enema is usually most effective after breakfast. Why is this so?
Dan has found that straining to have a bowel movement actually makes it more difficult to do so. Explain.
If spinal cord injury damages the conus medullaris, it is still possible for defecation to occur. Explain.