rectum

American  

[rek-tuhm] / ˈrɛk təm /

noun

Anatomy.

rectums, plural recta plural

1. the comparatively straight, terminal section of the intestine, ending in the anus.

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rectum British  

/ ˈrɛktəm /

noun

1. the lower part of the alimentary canal, between the sigmoid flexure of the colon and the anus

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rectum Scientific  

/ rĕk′təm /

rectums plural

1. The last section of the digestive tract, extending from the colon to the anus, in which feces is stored for elimination from the body.

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rectum Cultural  

1. The outermost portion of the large intestine. Feces are stored in the rectum until they are passed out of the body through the anus.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• rectums
  plural
• recta
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rectum

1535–45; < New Latin rēctum ( intestīnum ) the straight (intestine)