Rectal ampulla

Rectal ampulla
The rectal ampulla is labeled in this illustration.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	ampulla recti
TA98	A05.7.04.008
TA2	3005
FMA	15721
Anatomical terminology

The rectal ampulla (or ampulla recti) is the dilated section of the rectum where feces are stored until they are eliminated via the anal canal. The caliber of the rectum at its commencement is similar to that of the sigmoid colon, but near its termination it dilates, forming the ampulla. An ampulla is a cavity, or the dilated end of a duct, shaped like a Roman ampulla.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1183 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)