Quick Facts
Origin: Inferior Mesenteric artery.
Course: Inferiorly along the superior rectum.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Upper two thirds of the rectum.
Origin
As the inferior mesenteric artery crosses the pelvic brim, it continues as the superior anorectal artery.
Course
The superior anorectal artery enters the mesorectum at the level of third sacral vertebrae (S3) and divides into terminal branches which travel inferiorly.
Branches
The terminal branches of the superior anorectal artery enter the rectal wall and anastomose with branches of the middle and inferior anorectal arteries.
Supplied Structures
The superior anorectal artery is the primary supply to the upper two thirds of the rectum. It continues inferiorly and anastomoses with the middle and inferior anorectal arteries, to contribute to the supply of the lower rectum and the anal canal.
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Artery
When the artery is occluded blood is forced through the collateral vessels, drastically increasing fluid shear stress and triggering an inflammatory response which drives vessel remodeling.
