rectum

noun rec·tum \ ˈrek-təm \

|Updated on: 30 Jul 2018

Definition of rectum

plural rectums or recta play \ˈrek-tə\

: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

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Recent Examples of rectum from the Web

The General Medical Council has also barred Dixon from performing another type of surgery, the STARR procedure — which stands for stapled transanal resection of the rectum — until 2018, according to the Telegraph.

— marwa eltagouri, ajc, "A doctor removed her ovaries because they were ‘in the way.’ She committed suicide," 30 May 2018
Most cases start as noncancerous polyps in the lining of the large intestine or the rectum.

— consumer reports, Washington Post, "Exercise and diet can help lower your risk of colon cancer," 22 Jan. 2018
Then, the images are put together to make 2D and 3D views of the inside of your colon and rectum to allow doctors to look for polyps or cancer.

— korin miller, SELF, "The American Cancer Society Wants You to Start Colorectal Cancer Screening Earlier," 1 June 2018
Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon and rectum, is also the second leading cancer killer in the country.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Common toothpaste ingredient may promote gut inflammation, colon cancer," 5 June 2018
The change was informed by research from ACS scientists, who found last year that cancers of the colon and rectum are occurring at increasing rates among young and middle-aged adults.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "The American Cancer Society Just Changed Its Guidelines Around Colorectal Cancer Screenings," 30 May 2018
The procedure involves guiding a probe through the rhino’s rectum into an ovary, then drawing eggs out through a catheter.

— daniel fernandez, Smithsonian, "Can the Northern White Rhino Be Brought Back From the Brink of Extinction?," 22 May 2018
These included cancers of the prostate (which declined by an average of 7.6% per year), lung and bronchus (2.4%), larynx (2.3%), colon and rectum (1.9%), esophagus (1.6%), bladder (0.8%) and brain and nervous system (0.2%).

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "The death rate from cancer is falling for American men, women and children of all backgrounds," 22 May 2018
Gonorrhea can infect the genitals, rectum and throat.

— sophie cousins, CNN, "Wherever you are in the world, time is running out for treating gonorrhea," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rectum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rectum

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from rectum intestinum, literally, straight intestine

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First Known Use: 15th century

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RECTUM Defined for English Language Learners

rectum

noun

Definition of rectum for English Language Learners

medical : the end of the tube in your body that helps digest food : the last part of the large intestine

RECTUM Defined for Kids

rectum

noun rec·tum \ ˈrek-təm \

Definition of rectum for Students

plural rectums also recta \-tə\

: the last part of the large intestine

Medical Dictionary

rectum

noun rec·tum \ ˈrek-təm \

medical Definition of rectum

plural rectums or recta play \-tə\

: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Illustration of rectum

Learn More about rectum

Spanish Central: Translation of rectum Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rectum

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rectum

Definition of rectum

Recent Examples of rectum from the Web

Origin and Etymology of rectum

RECTUM Defined for English Language Learners

rectum

Definition of rectum for English Language Learners

RECTUM Defined for Kids

rectum

Definition of rectum for Students

Medical Dictionary

rectum

medical Definition of rectum

Illustration of rectum

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