rectal artery

noun

: 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