Hemorrhoidal plexus

Rectal venous plexus
Scheme of the anastomosis of the veins of the rectum.
The veins of the right half of the male pelvis.
Details
Drains to	Superior rectal vein
Identifiers
Latin	Plexus venosus rectalis, plexus haemorrhoidalis
TA	A12.3.10.010
FMA	18933
Anatomical terminology []

The rectal venous plexus (or hemorrhoidal plexus) surrounds the rectum, and communicates in front with the vesical venous plexus in the male, and the vaginal venous plexus in the female.

A free communication between the portal and systemic venous systems is established through the rectal venous plexus.

It consists of two parts, an internal in the submucosa, and an external outside the muscular coat.

The internal plexus presents a series of dilated pouches which are arranged in a circle around the tube, immediately above the anal orifice, and are connected by transverse branches.

This internal plexus is also known in some medical communities as the Irving plexus.

The veins of the hemorrhoidal plexus are contained in very loose connective tissue, so that they get less support from surrounding structures than most other veins, and are less capable of resisting increased blood-pressure.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 676 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)