Neurovascular Supply
These include the blood supply and the brain control (nerves) of the rectum. Blood vessels are important to surgeons as well as, its path are possible track for the transport of cancer cells to other parts of the body as discussed in the spread of cancer, this is referred to as Heamtogeneous spread.
Arteries
There are 3 main blood supply to the rectum, which are:
Blood from the rectum are drained via veins which follow the rectal arteries. These are Superior, middle and inferior rectal vein.
Arteries
There are 3 main blood supply to the rectum, which are:
- Superior/ upper Rectal Artery which is the terminal branch of the lower abdominal artery (inferior mesenteric artery). this artery supplies the upper part of the rectum, the whole mucosa layer of the rectum and upper part of the anal canal.
- middle rectal artery is a small paired artery which is a branch internal iliac artery, artery of pelvic.
- inferior/ lower rectal artery also paired artery a branch of internal pudendal artery, artery of perineum (important as lymphatic follows this)
Blood from the rectum are drained via veins which follow the rectal arteries. These are Superior, middle and inferior rectal vein.
- Upper rectal vein drains to inferior mesenteric artery which drains further into the portal circulation, large vein draining the intestine into the liver. This can transport cancer cells to the liver than to lungs.
- Middle and lower rectal veins drains into internal iliac and pudendal veins respectively.
Lymphatic
The lymphatic drainage (system) is important to the Human body as it serves s the immune system of the body. The knowledge of the Development, Anatomy, blood supply and lymphatic system of the rectum will ease the understanding cancer spread complexity.
Nerves
The rectum is innervated by inferior hypogastric plexus which is a stretch nerve fibers but has no pain sensory. While external anal splinter and rectal sling are innervated by perineal nerves of pudendal Nerve.