Abstract
Detailed anatomical knowledge is an essential prerequisite for surgery of both benign and malignant diseases of the rectum. In particular, surgery for rectal cancer faces a twofold challenge consisting of a complete and oncologically curative removal of the tumour-bearing rectum including the mesorectal package and main lymphatic drainage routes and an optimal preservation of surrounding organs, blood vessels and autonomic nerves responsible for urogenital functions. Thus, the aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the embryologically defined topographic anatomy of the rectum and its surrounding structures illustrated by schematic drawings and comprehensive figures. In addition, anatomical landmarks relevant to successful rectal surgery are highlighted by photographs taken from pre-dissected specimens from human body donors.
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Wedel, T. (2021). Rectum: Surgical Anatomy and Embryology. In: Hohenberger, W., Parker, M. (eds) Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery. Springer Surgery Atlas Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60827-9_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60827-9_10
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