[Development and clinical anatomy of the rectal adventitia. significance for radical operation of rectal carcinoma].

The development, topography and clinical anatomy of the adventitia recti were studied in 300- to 600-microns-thick sections through the pelves of human fetuses and newborn children and 5-mm sections through the pelves of adults. The adventitia recti constitutes a continuous compartment bordered laterally by the fascia recti. In the adult the adventitia recti consists mainly of adipose tissue. The extent of the adventitia recti differs in different parts of the rectal wall. The branches of the vasa rectalia superiora and the visceral lymph nodes of the rectum are situated within the adventitia recti. Our findings suggest that it is necessary to remove the adipose tissue of the adventitia recti and the adjoining lymph nodes individually during resection of the rectum in order to minimize the risk of tumor recurrence.