Rectouterine pouch
Updates to Synonym Attributes
Updates to Synonym Attributes
Updates to Synonym Attributes
Updates to Synonym Attributes
Updates to Article Attributes
The rectouterine pouch (also, also known as the rectovaginal pouch, cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas), is an extension of peritoneum between the the posterior wall of uterus and the rectum in females. It is the most dependent part of the peritoneal cavity and is analogous to the rectovesical pouch in males.
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
- anteriorly:
uterusuterus, posterior fornix of the vagina - posteriorly:
rectumrectum - inferiorly:
peritonealperitoneal rectovaginal fold
Related pathology
Being a most dependent and lower area of the peritoneal cavity of females in the supine position the pathology, fluids (e.g. abscess, infection, ascites, haemoperitoneum, and even intraperitoneal drop metastases) preferentially collects here.
A small amount of homogeneous and low-attenuated fluid in the rectouterine pouch is normally seen in child-bearing age women.
The pouch is useful in end-stage renal failure patients, where it is a preferred place for peritoneal dialysis.
History and etymology
It is named after the Scottish anatomist Dr James Douglas (1675–1742).
-<p>The <strong>rectouterine pouch</strong> (also known as the <strong>rectovaginal pouch</strong>, <strong>cul-de-sac</strong> or <strong>pouch of Douglas</strong>) is an extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of <a href="/articles/uterus">uterus</a> and the <a href="/articles/rectum">rectum</a> in females. It is the most dependent part of the <a href="/articles/peritoneum">peritoneal cavity</a> and is analogous to the <a href="/articles/rectovesical-pouch">rectovesical pouch</a> in males. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>-<li>anteriorly: uterus, posterior fornix of the <a href="/articles/vagina">vagina</a>- +<p>The <strong>rectouterine pouch</strong>, also known as the <strong>rectovaginal pouch</strong>, <strong>cul-de-sac</strong> or <strong>pouch of Douglas</strong>, is an extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of <a href="/articles/uterus">uterus</a> and the <a href="/articles/rectum">rectum</a> in females. It is the most dependent part of the <a href="/articles/peritoneum">peritoneal cavity</a> and is analogous to the <a href="/articles/rectovesical-pouch">rectovesical pouch</a> in males. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>
- +<li>anteriorly: uterus, posterior fornix of the <a href="/articles/vagina">vagina</a>
-<li>posteriorly: rectum</li>-<li>inferiorly: peritoneal rectovaginal fold</li>-</ul><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Being a most dependent and lower area of the peritoneal cavity of females in supine position the pathology (e.g. abscess, infection, <a href="/articles/ascites">ascites</a>, <a href="/articles/haemoperitoneum">haemoperitoneum</a>) preferentially collects here. </p><p>The pouch is useful in end-stage renal failure patients, where it is a preferred place for peritoneal dialysis.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It is named after the Scottish anatomist <strong>Dr James Douglas</strong> (1675–1742).</p>- +<li>posteriorly: rectum</li>
- +<li>inferiorly: peritoneal rectovaginal fold</li>
- +</ul><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Being a most dependent and lower area of the peritoneal cavity of females in the supine position, fluids (e.g. abscess, infection, <a href="/articles/ascites">ascites</a>, <a href="/articles/haemoperitoneum">haemoperitoneum</a>, and even <a title="Peritoneal metastases" href="/articles/peritoneal-metastases">intraperitoneal drop metastases</a>) preferentially collects here. </p><p>A small amount of homogeneous and low-attenuated fluid in the rectouterine pouch is normally seen in child-bearing age women. </p><p>The pouch is useful in <a title="End-stage renal failure" href="/articles/end-stage-kidney-disease">end-stage renal failure</a> patients, where it is a preferred place for peritoneal dialysis.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It is named after the Scottish anatomist <strong>Dr James Douglas</strong> (1675–1742).</p>
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