Anatomy
rectum
rec·tum [ rek-tuhm ]
Subclass of:
Large Intestine
Definitions related to rectum:
-
The distal segment of the LARGE INTESTINE, between the SIGMOID COLON and the ANAL CANAL.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
The last 12 centimeters of the colon, through which waste is eliminated from the body.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
-
The last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
The terminal portion of the gastrointestinal tract, extending from the rectosigmoid junction to the anal canal.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
The terminal portion of the large intestine extending from the terminus of the colon to the anus or anal canal.CDISC TerminologyClinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
-
Rectum, terminal segment of the digestive system in which feces accumulate just prior to discharge. The rectum is continuous with the sigmoid colon and extends 13 to 15 cm (5 to 6 inches) to the anus. A muscular sheet called the pelvic diaphragm runs perpendicular to the juncture of the rectum and...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> R
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.