Middle rectal artery

The middle rectal artery (Latin: arteria rectalis medialis) is a branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery. It passes inferiorly to the rectum splitting into several smaller branches to supply the middle part of the rectum. The middle rectal artery also gives off side branches. In males, it provides a prostatic branch to the prostate. In females, the middle rectal artery gives rise to a vaginal branch to the vagina.