Ischioanal fossa

Last revised by Travis Fahrenhorst-Jones on 2 Jul 2021

The ischioanal (or ischiorectal) fossa is a fat-filled space of the perineum

Gross anatomy

The ischioanal fossa is a paired triangular-shaped space lateral to the anal canal with an apex directed anteromedially towards the pubic symphysis. Each ischioanal fossa is separated from the other by the anococcygeal body, but they do still communicate superiorly to this and posterior to the anal canal. 

Many textbooks and surgeons use the term ischiorectal fossa, however even a cursory review of the anatomy shows that the region is closely related to the anal canal, and not the rectum.

Boundaries
Contents

Related pathology

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