The location and contents of the lateral ligaments of the rectum: a study in human soft cadavers.

Purpose: This study was designed to identify the location of the lateral ligaments of the rectum and to reveal its contents.

Methods: From 18 human soft cadavers (9 males), 18 pelves were sagittally sectioned into 36 hemipelvic specimens affording good anatomic view of the lateral aspect of the rectum. All of them were dissected and mobilized by using sharp technique under direct vision by one surgeon to avoid confounding factor.