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Related Experiment Videos

The rectogenital septum: morphology, function, and clinical relevance.

Felix Aigner1, Andrew P Zbar, Barbara Ludwikowski

  • 1Institute of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. felix.aigner@uibk.ac.at

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|March 27, 2004
PubMed
Summary

The rectogenital septum develops from connective tissue and contains muscle fibers originating from the rectal wall, innervated by autonomic nerves. This understanding aids safer rectal surgeries to prevent nerve damage.

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Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Embryology
  • Surgical Anatomy

Background:

  • The rectogenital septum, or Denonvilliers' fascia, is a key anatomical structure separating the rectum from urogenital organs.
  • It comprises connective tissue, elastic fibers, smooth muscle, and autonomic nerve fibers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the fetal development of the rectogenital septum.
  • Determine the origin and innervation of its longitudinal smooth muscle cells.
  • Assess the impact of surgical compromise on these structures.

Main Methods:

  • Macroscopic dissection of embalmed human pelves.
  • Plastination histology of 40 fetal and newborn pelvic specimens.
  • Immunohistochemical staining for tissue analysis and neuronal labeling.

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Main Results:

  • The rectogenital septum forms from condensed mesenchymal tissue in early fetal development.
  • Longitudinal muscle bundles originate from the rectal wall's longitudinal layer.
  • Autonomic nerve fibers and ganglion cells innervate these muscles without gender differences.

Conclusions:

  • A functional link between the rectal wall and septum muscles during defecation is suggested due to coinnervation.
  • Findings support safer anterior rectal wall dissection during resection to minimize functional deficits and neural injury.