Middle rectal plexus

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Middle rectal plexus
Details
From inferior hypogastric plexus
Identifiers
Latin plexus rectalis medius
TA A14.3.03.049
FMA 6645
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The middle rectal plexus is a nerve plexus which supplies the middle part of the rectum.

A plexus is a branching network of the vessels or nerves. The vessels may be blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. The nerves are typically axons outside the central nervous system.

Rectum final section of intestine

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. The adult human rectum is about 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long, and begins at the rectosigmoid junction, the end of the sigmoid colon, at the level of the third sacral vertebra or the sacral promontory depending upon what definition is used. Its caliber is similar to that of the sigmoid colon at its commencement, but it is dilated near its termination, forming the rectal ampulla. It terminates at the level of the anorectal ring or the dentate line, again depending upon which definition is used. In humans, the rectum is followed by the anal canal which is about 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long, before the gastrointestinal tract terminates at the anal verge. The word rectum comes from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine.

It is a branch of the inferior hypogastric plexus. [1]

Inferior hypogastric plexus

The inferior hypogastric plexus is a plexus of nerves that supplies the viscera of the pelvic cavity. The inferior hypogastric plexus gives rise to the prostatic plexus in males and the uterovaginal plexus in females.

The middle rectal plexus used to be referred to by anatomists as Copeland's web, due to its identification by biologist Charles Copeland and the design of his anatomical drawings in the early 20th century.

Related Research Articles

Brachial plexus network of nerves formed by the ventral rami of the lower four cervical nerves and first thoracic nerve

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves formed by the ventral rami of the lower four cervical nerves and first thoracic nerve. This plexus extends from the spinal cord, through the cervicoaxillary canal in the neck, over the first rib, and into the armpit. It supplies afferent and efferent nerve fibers to the chest, shoulder, arm and hand.

Abdominal aorta

The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta.

Internal anal sphincter

The internal anal sphincter, IAS, is a ring of smooth muscle that surrounds about 2.5–4.0 cm of the anal canal; its inferior border is in contact with, but quite separate from, the external anal sphincter.

Internal iliac artery

The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.

Rectal venous plexus

The rectal venous plexus surrounds the rectum, and communicates in front with the vesical venous plexus in the male, and the vaginal venous plexus in the female.

Internal iliac vein Large blood vessel of the pelvis

The internal iliac vein begins near the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, passes upward behind and slightly medial to the internal iliac artery and, at the brim of the pelvis, joins with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.

Inferior anal nerves

The Inferior rectal nerves usually branch from the pudendal nerve but occasionally arises directly from the sacral plexus; they cross the ischiorectal fossa along with the inferior rectal artery and veins, toward the anal canal and the lower end of the rectum, and is distributed to the Sphincter ani externus and to the integument (skin) around the anus.

Superior rectal vein

The inferior mesenteric vein begins in the rectum as the superior rectal vein, which has its origin in the hemorrhoidal plexus, and through this plexus communicates with the middle and inferior hemorrhoidal veins.

Middle rectal veins

The middle rectal veins take origin in the hemorrhoidal plexus and receive tributaries from the bladder, prostate, and seminal vesicle.

Inferior rectal veins

The lower part of the external hemorrhoidal plexus is drained by the inferior rectal veins into the internal pudendal vein.

Vaginal venous plexus

The vaginal venous plexuses are placed at the sides of the vagina; they communicate with the uterine venous plexuses, vesical venous plexus, and rectal venous plexuses, and are drained by the vaginal veins, one on either side, into the hypogastric veins.

Venous plexus

A venous plexus is a congregation of multiple veins.

The superior rectal plexus supplies the rectum and joins in the pelvis with branches from the pelvic plexuses.

Outline of human anatomy Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

Rectal plexus may refer to:

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids.

Anorectal varices are the dilation of collateral submucosal vessels due to backflow in the veins of the rectum. Typically this occurs due to portal hypertension which shunts venous blood from the portal system through the portosystemic anastomosis present at this site into the systemic venous system. This can also occur in the esophagus, causing esophageal varices, and at the level of the umbilicus, causing caput medusae. Between 44% and 78% of patients with portal hypertension get anorectal varices.

References

  1. ↑ Jeyarajah S, King A, Papagrigoriadis S (2007). "Faecal incontinence as presentation of an ependymomas of the spinal cord". World J Surg Oncol. 5: 107. doi:10.1186/1477-7819-5-107. PMC   2034572 . PMID   17894884.


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