Question

Constipation is a recognized consequence of

A. Sensory denervation of the **.

B. Psychological stress.

C. Abnormality of the autonomic nerve supply to the colon.

D. A diet that leaves little unabsorbed residue in the gut.

E. Over-activity of the thyroid gland as in thyrotoxicosis.

Answer 1

A. True This breaks the reflex arc on which defaecation depends.

B. True Stress may modify the reflex to cause either constipation or diarrhoea.

C. True In **** this may cause megacolon.

D. True Frequency of defaecation is related to the bulk of food residues.

E. False This leads to increased frequency of defaecation.