582 



ABDOMEN 



A hernia may occur through the obturator foramen also 

 (obturator hernia). In this case the gut follows the obturator 

 artery over the upper border of the fascia and through the 

 obturator canal. 



Intestinum Eectum (Rectum). The rectum is the portion 

 of the large intestine which extends from the termination of 



Processus vermiformis 



Superior haemorrhoidal vessels 



Root of pelvic 

 meso-colon 



Lower end .of 

 pelvic colon 



Internal 



spermatic vessels 



Genito-femoral 

 - nerve 



External iliac 



vessels 



Obturator nerve 

 Umbilical artery 

 Obturator vessels 

 Ureter 



Pelvic plexus of 

 nerves 



Rectum 



Pelvic plexus of nerves 

 and haemorrhoidal veins MUN^^^^M Levator ani 



nal canal 

 External sphincter 



FIG. 229. Dissection of the Rectum from the front in a specimen hardened 

 by formalin injection. The front wall of the pelvis has been removed, and 

 the bladder, prostate, and seminal vesicles taken away. 



the pelvic colon, opposite the middle of the third piece of 

 the sacrum, to the point about one and a half inches in front 

 of the tip of the coccyx, that is, to the apex of the prostate 

 in the male, and to the apex of the perineal body in 

 the female. At this point it bends abruptly backwards, pierces 

 the rectal layer of pelvic fascia, and becomes the anal canal. 

 The rectum is about five inches long. For the greater part 

 of its length it is adapted to the anterior surface of the 



