Inferior Rectal Artery

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The inferior rectal artery is an artery that supplies the lower anal canal including the external anal sphincter.

Summary

  • origin: from internal pudendal artery, just after it enters the pudendal canal
  • course: runs anteromedially through the ischioanal fossa to reach the deep portion of the external anal sphincter 
  • termination: divides into multiple branches to supply the muscles and integument of the lower anal region
  • anastomoses: with superior and middle rectal arteries and with contralateral inferior rectal artery branches