Middle rectal artery

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

Structure

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

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 and the anal canal inferior to the pectinate line.

Pathology

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