Anatomy
Course
A branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery. It branches from the anterior trunk before the anterior trunk passes between the rami anterior rami of two of the sacral nerves. It courses medially along the posterior pelvic wall towards the rectum, where it joins with the superior and inferior rectal arteries.
Supply
Contributes to an anastomoses, including the superior and inferior rectal arteries, to supply the rectum. In males, the middle rectal artery may give branches to supply the prostate, and in females it may give off branches to supply the vagina.
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