Considering a Fundamental Medical Curiosity

Language is a truly wonderful thing. Perhaps the greatest invention of the human mind. Sadly, most folks do not take the time to appreciate its marvelously layered complexities.

We are grieved to admit that our dear Brother Saturnillus is wont, when in his cups, to succumb to a particularly low sort of humor. While repeatedly testing his wassail over the holiday, he appears to have made a number of rather rude (and fundamentally incorrect) remarks about The Church's use of the title Rector. These unfortunate remarks led to an earnest and enlightening discussion in the vestry last night around the term rectum.

Most people do not know that this all too commonly used word derives from the Latin rectum intestinum meaning ‘straight intestine’. And so, when referring to the rectum one is actually referring to the straight.

Do you suddenly find yourself considering the myriad of Implications in this?

Add to your considerations that the term "straight intestine" is actually a dreadful misnomer - because in human beings that portion of the intestine referred to as the "straight intestine" is in fact NOT in the least bit straight. Galen, the great physician of the ancient world, came up with the term to refer to what he discovered in various animals he dissected which DID have a "straight" intestine. (He, of course, being Greek used the term apeuthysmeon enteron, which appears to mean the intestine which must be MADE straight. An troubling concern for a person of the Greek persuasion.)

From these observations, naturally, spring many questions. None of which we will deign to draw any specific attention to. Some questions, we believe, are best explored through a quiet contemplation of a personal nature.