rectal plexus


rectal plexus

1. Any of three autonomic nerve plexuses — superior, middle, and inferior — innervating the rectum. The rectal plexuses are extensions of the inferior hypogastric plexus and they follow the three corresponding rectal arteries. 2. Any of three venous plexuses — external, internal, and superior — in and around the rectum. The external rectal plexus empties via the internal rectal vein, into the internal pudendal vein; the internal and the superior rectal plexuses empty into the superior rectal vein. When veins in the internal rectal plexus develop varices, the varicose segments are called "hemorrhoids." Synonym: hemorrhoidal plexusSee also: plexus