Middle Rectal Artery

The arteries of the rectum are divided into internal and external. The internal arteries form the so-called middle artery of the rectum - the artery of the hemorrhoidal plexus. It is located in a narrow canal between the hepatic rectus and omental recta fascia. Between them there is no vascular artery of the anal canal. The artery rises in front of the vas deferens and, together with the latter, extends 4-5 cm beyond the pelvis. After this, the neurovascular bundle descends between the outer fibers of the external retroanal striated sphincter.

The artery of the hemorrhoidal plexus is thick, about 5-7 cm long and ends at the lower end of the rectum, forming an arterial plexus around the anal artery. Along the site of the exit of the internal arterial network of the rectum from the cavernous membrane, the arterial anal plexus is formed on the right and left sides of the aorta. Both anal plexuses are connected to the submucosal arterial plexus