[1] It is distributed to the rectum above the pectinate line.

[2] In males, the middle rectal artery may give off branches to the prostate and the seminal vesicles.

In females, the middle rectal artery gives off branches to the vagina.

The middle rectal artery supplies the rectum[2] and the anal canal inferior to the pectinate line.

[3][4] The middle rectal artery may be embolized to treat patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids in a procedure called hemorrhoidal artery embolization.