Middle rectal artery

The middle rectal artery is an artery in the pelvis that supplies blood to the rectum.

Middle rectal artery
The blood vessels of the rectum and anus, showing the distribution and anastomosis on the posterior surface near the termination of the gut. (Labeled as hemorrhoidal artery.)
The arteries of the pelvis.
Details
Source	Internal iliac artery
Vein	Middle rectal veins
Supplies	Rectum, seminal vesicle, vagina
Identifiers
Latin	arteria rectalis media, arteria haemorrhoidalis media
TA98	A12.2.15.036
TA2	4338
FMA	18826
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Internal iliac artery, showing branches, including middle rectal artery

The middle rectal artery usually arises from the internal iliac artery.^[1] It is distributed to the rectum above the pectinate line.^[2] It anastomoses with the inferior vesical artery, superior rectal artery, and inferior rectal artery.^[2]

In males, the middle rectal artery may give off branches to the prostate and the seminal vesicles. In females, the middle rectal artery gives off branches to the vagina.

Function

The middle rectal artery supplies the rectum^[2] and the anal canal inferior to the pectinate line. ^[3][4]

Pathology

The middle rectal artery may be embolized to treat patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids in a procedure called hemorrhoidal artery embolization.^[5]

Additional images

• 
  Sigmoid colon and rectum, showing distribution of branches of inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses.
• 
  Middle rectal artery

See also

• Superior rectal artery
• Inferior rectal artery