Annotated image - Annotated images
Sagittal
Axial
Coronal
Coronal
Red arrows indicate peritoneal reflection:
- peritoneum reflecting off anterior wall of upper rectum on sagittal image, with rectum below this level being enclosed within the mesorectal compartment, and above this level and increasing area of the rectum becomes covered by the peritoneum
- on the coronal image, the peritoneal reflection is seen as an inverted Y reflecting off the anterior rectal wall
Blue arrows indicate mesorectal fascia:
- shown here to surround the rectum on sagittal, axial and coronal images
- posteriorly, the mesorectal fascia is distinct and anterior to the presacral fascia
- it is not seen clearly anteriorly due to it abutting the posterior margin of the prostate and Denonvillier's fascia
- lateral to the mesorectal fascia lie the pelvic sidewalls