Imaging of anorectal function

Over the last decade the development of sophisticated physiological tests to investigate anorectal function has increased understanding of pelvic floor pathology and stimulated advances in imaging. This commentary will specifically deal with imaging of anorectal dysfunction, namely anal incontinence and constipation. However, it could be argued that the pelvic floor forms a functional unit and should be treated as such. Our inclination to divide this organ into urological, gynaecological and coloproctological territory, each attracting its own expert interest whilst ignoring the contributions of others, should be resisted. The global pelvic floor specialist has arrived, and his closest ally is the radiologist.