A study on clinical topography of lateral ligament of the rectum / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the clinical topography of lateral ligament of the rectum.MethodsDissection in the mesorectal plane was performed on cadavers of semi-pelvis sectioned in the sagittal plane. Results Ten of 14 semi-pelvises had substantial connective tissue between the mesorectum and the pelvic side wall. Eight of 10 lateral ligaments had middle rectal artery. Six of 8 middle rectal arteries run in the lateral ligament. The median height of the lateral ligament above the denticulate line was 14 mm (ranging 10～44 mm). Eight of 12 surgical cases had lateral ligament bilaterally, the remaining had lateral ligament unilaterally. Histologically the lateral ligament was composed of connective tissue. It consisted of vessel and nerve. The outer diameter of vessel in the lateral ligament was no more than 1.5 mm. Conclusions 1. The lateral ligament of the rectum presents in most people. The site and structure of lateral ligament was not constant, especially in vascular tissue. 2. Half of the cadavers have middle rectal artery. The rectal artery was tiny. Most of middle rectal artery runs in the lateral ligament. 3. The nerve in the lateral ligament was the part of rectal nerve plexus.