Fig. 4

A mesentery-like structure in the lateral wall of the rectum formed by the UGF and the pelvic plexus (a) cadaver anatomy; (b) laparoscopic observation: (1) urogenital fascia (UGF); (2) pelvic splanchnic nerves; (3) presacral venous; (4) rectum. In panel (a), the parietal pelvic fascia was removed. The white circle represents the attachment of the mesentery-like structure formed by the UGF and the pelvic plexus at the lateral pelvic wall. (b) shows that during laparoscopic TME, the separation of the left lateral rectal mesentery (the lateral rectal ligament) is guided by the visceral layer of the UGF to protect the HGN and pelvic splanchnic nerves