How does the middle rectal artery travel in the pelvis?

How does the middle rectal artery travel in the pelvis?

• A. Descends in pelvis to inferior rectum
• B. Ascends to the sigmoid colon
• C. Travels lateral to the bladder
• D. Runs within the inguinal canal

Answer: (A)

The middle rectal artery travels downward through the pelvic wall to reach the rectum, supplying the middle and inferior parts. It typically arises from the internal iliac artery and runs along the lateral pelvic wall, crossing the pelvic floor to enter the rectal wall where it anastomoses with the superior and inferior rectal arteries. It does not ascend to the sigmoid colon (that territory is supplied by branches of the inferior mesenteric artery), nor does it run through the inguinal canal.

The middle rectal artery travels downward through the pelvic wall to reach the rectum, supplying the middle and inferior parts. It typically arises from the internal iliac artery and runs along the lateral pelvic wall, crossing the pelvic floor to enter the rectal wall where it anastomoses with the superior and inferior rectal arteries. It does not ascend to the sigmoid colon (that territory is supplied by branches of the inferior mesenteric artery), nor does it run through the inguinal canal.