Definition: About 6 to 8 inches long, the rectum is located at the end of the large intestine. The rectum ends at the anus.
Pronunciation: REK-tum
Common Misspellings: rektum
Rectum
By Amber J. Tresca, About.com
Updated: March 21, 2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD
Related Terms
Explore Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Must Reads
More from About.com
Work Hard, Travel Easy
The best tips for business travelers.Dog Care
Get tips on training and caring for dogs of all ages.48 Hours in Vegas
Plan a hot weekend in Sin City.Hotel Advice
The must-stay hotels worldwide.
About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.Also from About.com:
©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.