| middle transverse rectal fold | See: transverse rectal folds. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| superior rectal artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, inferior mesenteric; distribution, upper part of rectum; anastomoses, middle and inferior rectal. As a tributary of the portal vein, its anastomosis with these arteries forms a portosystemic or portocaval anastomosis. Synonym: arteria rectalis superior, superior haemorrhoidal artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| superior rectal lymph nodes | Nodes of the inferior mesenteric group, located along the superior rectal artery. Synonym: nodi lymphatici rectales superiores. (05 Mar 2000) |
| superior rectal plexus | The autonomic plexus derived as a continuation of the inferior mesenteric plexus that accompanies the superior rectal artery. Synonym: plexus rectalis superior, superior haemorrhoidal plexus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| superior rectal vein | <anatomy, vein> It drains the greater part of the rectal venous plexus, and ascends between the layers of the mesorectum to the brim of the pelvis, where it becomes the inferior mesenteric vein. As a tributary of the portal vein, it forms a portocaval anastomosis with the middle and inferior rectal veins (caval tributaries) via the rectal venous plexus. Synonym: vena rectalis superior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| digital rectal exam | An exam to detect rectal cancer. The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels for abnormal areas. It is also an important screening test for the detection of prostate abnormalities, including cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| incontinence, rectal | Inability to hold feces in the rectum due to failure of voluntary control over the anal sphincters with involuntary passage of feces and gas. Also called faecal incontinence. (12 Dec 1998) |
| transverse rectal folds | The three or four crescentic folds placed horizontally in the rectal mucous membrane; the superior rectal fold is situated near the beginning of the rectum on the left side; the middle rectal fold (Nelaton's fold) is most prominent and consistent and projects from the right side about 8 cm above the anus (approximately the level of the floor of the rectouterine or rectovesical pouch); the inferior rectal fold is on the left side about 5 cm above the anus. Synonym: plicae transversales recti, Houston's folds, Houston's valves, Kohlrausch's valves, plicae recti, rectal folds, rectal valves. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kelly's rectal speculum | A tubular speculum with obturator for rectal examination. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves | Visceral branches of the sympathetic trunks conveying presynaptic sympathetic fibres to and visceral afferent fibres from the prevertebral ganglia and para-aortic/hypogastric plexuses for the innervation of viscera located below the diaphragm. The greater, lesser, lowest, lumbar, and sacral splanchnic nerves belong to this group. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accelerator nerves | Certain of the cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves establishing the sympathetic innervation of the heart; originating from ganglion cells of the superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk, the unmyelinated efferent fibres of the accelerator nerve's stimulate an increase in the heart rate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accessory phrenic nerves | Accessory nerve strands that arise from the fifth cervical nerve, often as branches of the nerve to the subclavius, passing downward to join the phrenic nerve. Synonym: nervi phrenici accessorii. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anococcygeal nerves | Several small nerves arising from the coccygeal plexus, supplying the skin over the coccyx. Synonym: nervi anococcygei. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior auricular nerves | Branches of the auriculotemporal nerve that supply the tragus and upper part of the auricle. Synonym: nervi auriculares anteriores. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves | Medial mammary branches of anterior cutaneous branches of ventral primary rami of thoracic spinal nerves. See: medial mammary branches. (05 Mar 2000) |