Sphinctériennes

Sphinctériennes is a French adjective and noun form used to denote things related to sphincters, the circular muscles that regulate the passage of substances through natural openings in the body. The term is commonly found in anatomical, histological, and physiological contexts and can describe structures, tissues, or functions associated with sphincters.

In anatomy, sphinctériennes refer to the muscular and fascial elements that form or surround sphincters. Examples of sphincters include the anal sphincters (internal and external), the urethral sphincters, the pyloric sphincter at the stomach’s outlet, and the sphincter muscles surrounding various ducts and passages. Histological descriptions may speak of “fibres sphinctériennes” or “tissu sphinctérien” to indicate tissue organized around a sphincter unit. The term can also apply to structures like the sphincter pupillae in the eye, which constricts the pupil.

Functionally, sphinctériennes relate to the regulation of opening and closing, controlling continence, excretion, and flow of luminal contents. Pathologies involving sphincters—such as incontinence, sphincter injury, or dysfunctional relaxation—are clinically significant and can be treated with approaches ranging from physical therapy to surgical repair.

Etymology-wise, sphinctérien derives from sphincter, itself from Latin sphincter, from Greek sphinkter, meaning “bind together” or “tighten.” In medical literature, the term emphasizes the relationship to sphincters across species and organ systems. See also sphincter; pelvic floor; iris sphincter.