Image: Wikimedia Commons

rectum

Final section of intestines

Entityorgan part type class of anatomical entityQ158716

Also known as rectal

Instance of: organ part type
, class of anatomical entity
Subclass of: segment of large intestine
1
Sources
1.Stated in Foundational Model of AnatomyRetrieved 2019-08-01
View statement on Wikidata ↗
, particular anatomical entity
Part of: large intestine

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. Before expulsion through the anus or cloaca, the rectum stores the feces temporarily. The adult human rectum is about 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long, and begins at the rectosigmoid junction at the level of the third sacral vertebra or the sacral promontory depending upon what definition is used. Its diameter 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 rēctum intestīnum, meaning straight intestine.

Overview

All data

59 statements · 25% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Arterial supply: superior rectal artery
Venous drainage: superior rectal vein
Lymphatic drainage: Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes
Anatomical location: pelvic cavity
1
Sources
1.Stated in Anatomy & Physiology: Therapy Basics 4th Edition
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Connects with: colon
sigmoid colon part of: colon
anal canal

On other databases

41 identifiers linking rectum across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

25%

externally sourced

Source last edited October 16, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). rectum (Q158716). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/rectum-Q158716