Editing Defecation (section)

===Voluntary and involuntary control===

The [[external anal sphincter]] is under voluntary control whereas the [[internal anal sphincter]] is involuntary. In [[infant]]s, the defecation occurs by [[Reflex|reflex action]] without the voluntary control of the external anal sphincter. Defecation is voluntary in adults. Young children learn voluntary control through the process of [[toilet training]]. Once trained, loss of control, called [[fecal incontinence]], may be caused by physical injury, nerve injury, prior surgeries (such as an [[episiotomy]]), [[constipation]], [[diarrhea]], loss of storage capacity in the [[rectum]], intense fright, [[inflammatory bowel disease]], [[psychological]] or [[neurological]] factors, [[childbirth]], or [[death]].<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Fecal incontinence - Causes|url=http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/basics/causes/con-20034575|publisher=Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research|access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref>

Sometimes, due to the inability to control one's bowel movement or due to excessive fear, defecation (usually accompanied by urination) occurs involuntarily, soiling a person's undergarments. This may cause significant embarrassment to the person if this occurs in the presence of other people or a public place.