Anatomical branches of the superior rectal artery in the distal rectum.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this experimental study was to study the arterial supply of the corpus cavernosum recti in the inner wall of the distal rectum in relation to haemorrhoidal ligation therapy. METHOD In 10 nonfixed human cadavers, the arterial vasculature of the rectum was studied using the Araldite casting method. Subsequently, the specimens were treated with methylbenzoate in order to obtain semitransparent specimens in which the corpus cavernosum recti could be studied. RESULTS Specimens were obtained permitting study of the arterial vasculature of the rectum and corpus cavernosum recti at all levels. The superior rectal artery was found to supply the corpus cavernosum recti which consisted of a variable number of equally spaced twisting arteries. CONCLUSION The distal rectum is supplied by the superior rectal artery. The supplying arteries of the corpus cavernosum recti are not confined to the strict locations described in the literature. This finding is of importance in surgical treatment of haemorrhoidal disease.