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[[Image: Rectum - lateral view.jpg |thumb| right |[[Abdominoperineal_resection_grossing|Abdominoperineal resection specimen]] showing the rectum.]] | |||
The '''rectum''' is part of the distal part of the gastrointestinal tract; it is between the sigmoid [[colon]] and anus. | The '''rectum''' is part of the distal part of the gastrointestinal tract; it is between the sigmoid [[colon]] and anus. | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
Pathologists generally agree that: the rectum starts/the sigmoid ends at the place where serosa ends on the posterior aspect of the bowel. | |||
In other words, the ''peritoneal reflection'' is the landmark that separates the sigmoid colon and rectum. | In other words, the ''peritoneal reflection'' is the landmark that separates the sigmoid colon and rectum. | ||
===Notes on the definition=== | ===Notes on the definition=== | ||
*On a practical level, the definition is not easy to apply from the lumen, i.e. the definition is not practical in the endoscopic context. | *On a practical level, the (anatomic/pathologic) definition is not easy to apply from the lumen, i.e. the definition is not practical in the endoscopic context. | ||
* | *There are several definitions for the rectum.<ref>{{cite journal |authors=Massalou D, Moszkowicz D, Mariage D, Baqué P, Camuzard O, Bronsard N |title=Is it possible to give a single definition of the rectosigmoid junction? |journal=Surg Radiol Anat |volume=40 |issue=4 |pages=431–438 |date=April 2018 |pmid=29218384 |doi=10.1007/s00276-017-1954-4 |url=}}</ref><ref name=pmid24130630>{{Cite journal | last1 = Kenig | first1 = J. | last2 = Richter | first2 = P. | title = Definition of the rectum and level of the peritoneal reflection - still a matter of debate? | journal = Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | pages = 183-6 | month = Sep | year = 2013 | doi = 10.5114/wiitm.2011.34205 | PMID = 24130630 }}</ref> | ||
**This is likely due to the above practical issue. | |||
Note: | |||
*In a survey of surgeons:<ref name=pmid24130630/> | |||
**67% defined it by an anatomical landmark | **67% defined it by an anatomical landmark | ||
***35% of all | ***35% of all respondents considered the peritoneal reflection the proximal boundary of the rectum. | ||
**30% defined the proximal boundary as a distance from the anal verge. | **30% defined the proximal boundary as a distance from the anal verge. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Colon]]. | *[[Colon]]. | ||
*[[Lower anterior resection]]. | |||
*[[Abdominoperineal resection]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== |
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