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. 2022 Mar 7;32(7):4991–5003. doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-08591-z

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© The Author(s) 2022

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Fig. 3 — Anatomical overview of the lining of the mesorectal compartment by the MRF and peritoneum in the low, middle, and high parts of the rectum. Above the anterior peritoneal reflection, the mesorectum is lined by peritoneum anteriorly (mid) and anterolaterally (high). The remaining mesorectum is lined by the MRF. Invasion of the MRF constitutes cT3 MRF+ disease, while invasion of the peritoneum or peritoneal reflection constitutes cT4a disease. When both the peritoneum and MRF are involved, this constitutes cT4a MRF+ disease