&NA;The subjective response to rectal balloon sensation was assessed with anorectal manometry and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency measurement (PNTML) in three groups of patients. There were 37 healthy subjects, 54 patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence (IFI), and 36 with complete rectal prolapse and incontinence (CRP). There was no significant difference for any parameter of rectal balloon sensation between patients with IFI and normals. Patients with CRP differed only in onset (P=.001). The results show that the appreciation of rectal distention is maintained in IFI.