rectal (hemorrhoidal) artery

Introduction

Arteries supplying the region of the rectum. These include:

• superior rectal artery
• middle rectal artery
• inferior rectal artery

The superior rectal artery is a tributary of the portal vein. The middle & inferior rectal arteries drain into the inferior vena caval system. The anastomoses between the superior & middle or inferior rectal arteries form a portocaval anastomosis.

More specific terms

• inferior rectal (hemorrhoidal) artery
• middle rectal (hemorrhoidal) artery
• superior rectal (hemorrhoidal) artery