Which of the following is listed as a potential cause of fecal incontinence?

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Fecal continence mainly depends on the integrity of the anal sphincters, the rectal reservoir, and the pelvic floor muscles that support the anal canal. When there are anatomical disruptions—such as damage to the internal or external anal sphincters, torn or weakened pelvic floor muscles, or rectal prolapse—the physical mechanism that keeps stool contained is directly impaired. This kind of structural change is a common and well-established cause of fecal incontinence because it reduces the ability to maintain closure and respond properly to stool or stool retention cues.

Infectious causes can provoke diarrhea or irritation that makes continence harder to control temporarily, but they’re not a direct, lasting change to the anatomy of the continence mechanism. Nutritional deficiencies can affect stool consistency or overall health, which might influence continence indirectly, but they don’t typically produce a primary anatomical failure. Genetic mutations aren’t standard, common contributors to fecal incontinence. So the anatomical disruption best fits as a listed potential cause.