[Suspensory elements of the anal canal. Anatomo-surgical considerations]

Continence depends not only on correct muscular function but also on the integrity of the suspensory structures of the anal canal, the latter being the subject of this study performed on embryological and adult specimens. The role of the perineal body as an insertion tendon common to all the striated muscles (pubo-coc-cygeus, superficial striated sphincter) which anchor the anal canal to the surrounding structures is pointed out. The characteristic behaviour of the longitudinal muscle that links the striated musculature to the visceral cylinder is also described.