rectum
/ˈɹɛktəm/ noun
Forms recta rectums
- noun (anatomy) The terminal part of the large intestine through which feces pass after exiting the colon, but before leaving the body through the anus or cloaca.
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin rectum, clipping of Latin rectum intestinum (literally “the straight intestine”), rectum, neuter of rectus (“straight”). See right.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The terminal part of the large intestine; --so named because supposed by the old anatomists to be straight. See Illust. under Digestive.
Etymology [NL. (sc. intestinum), fr. L. rectus straight. See Right.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “rectum”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details