Rectum - neurovascular and lymph drainage

Question 1

how many arteries does the rectum receive its arterial supply through?

Answer 1

through three main arteries

Question 2

what are the 3 main arteries supplying the rectum?

Answer 2

Superior rectal artery
Middle rectal artery
Inferior rectal artery

Question 3

what is the superior rectal artery continuation of?

Answer 3

terminal continuation of the inferior mesenteric artery

Question 4

what is the middle rectal artery a branch of?

Answer 4

internal iliac artery

Question 5

what is the inferior rectal artery a branch of?

Answer 5

internal pudendal artery

Question 6

what is the venous drainage to the rectum via?

Answer 6

via the corresponding superior, middle and inferior rectal veins. The superior rectal vein empties into the portal venous system, whilst the middle and inferior rectal veins empty into the . Anastamoses between the portal and systemic veins are located in the wall of anal canal, making this a site of portocaval anastomosis.

Question 7

what does the superior rectal vein empty into?

Answer 7

portal venous system

Question 8

what do the middle and inferior rectal veins empty into?

Answer 8

systemic venous system

Question 9

between which veins does anastamoses occur between?

Answer 9

portal and systemic veins

Question 10

where is the anastamoses between the portal and systemic veins located?

Answer 10

in the wall of anal canal - site of portocaval anastomosis

Question 11

what is the rectum closely anatomically associated with?

Answer 11

the rectal venous plexus

Question 12

what is the rectum’s structure more functionally related to?

Answer 12

anal canal

Question 13

what does the rectum receive innervation from?

Answer 13

receives sensory and autonomic innervation

Question 14

where is the sympathetic nervous supply to the rectum from?

Answer 14

from the lumbar splanchnic nerves and superior and inferior hypogastric plexuses

Question 15

where is parasympathetic supply to the rectum from?

Answer 15

S2-4 via the pelvic splanchnic nerves and inferior hypogastric plexuses

Question 16

what follows the parasympathetic supply to the rectum?

Answer 16

visceral afferent (sensory) fibres

Question 17

where is lymphatic drainage of the rectum via?

Answer 17

via the pararectal lymph nodes

Question 18

what do the pararectal lymph nodes drain into?

Answer 18

inferior mesenteric nodes

Question 19

where do lymph from the lower aspect of the rectum drain directly into?

Answer 19

into the internal iliac lymph nodes

Question 20

digital rectal examination

what does the anterior wall of the rectum contain

Answer 20

a number of close anatomical structures

Question 21

what can be palpated digitally via the rectum?

Answer 21

the number of anatomical structures on the anterior wall of the rectum

Question 22

what is the most significant structures of the anterior wall of the rectum in males?

Answer 22

the prostate and seminal vesicles in males

Question 23

what is the most significant structures of the anterior wall of the rectum in females?

Answer 23

cervix

Question 24

what can be palpated in both sexes through digital rectal examination?

Answer 24

Bony structures, such as the sacrum and coccyx