INTRODUCTIONInternal anal sphincter (IAS) is a continuation of the smooth circular muscle layer thickened at the rectum, innervated by vegetative nerve. IAS is a special smooth muscle, which is different from colonic smooth muscle in physiology and pharmaology[1]. It was found that contraction of gastric smooth muscle depends on the influx of extracellular calcium and release of intracellular calcium[2]. In present study, we observed and compared the effects of extra- and intracellular calcium on the contraction of IAS and colonic smooth muscle.