rectal artery

noun

Medical Definition of rectal artery

: any of three arteries supplying especially the rectum:

a : one arising from the internal pudendal artery and supplying the lower part of the rectum and the perineal region

— called also inferior hemorrhoidal artery, inferior rectal artery

b : one arising from the internal iliac artery and supplying the middle part of the rectum

— called also middle hemorrhoidal artery, middle rectal artery

c : one that is a continuation of the inferior mesenteric artery and that supplies the upper part of the rectum

— called also superior hemorrhoidal artery, superior rectal artery