Pararectal fossa
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The pararectal fossa (or pararectal pouch) is an inferior-ward extension of the peritoneum on either side of the rectum. It is formed by a (sacrogenital) fold of peritoneum extending inferiorly (downwards) from the posterolateral pelvic wall. It represents a lateral extension of the rectouterine pouch in the female, and of rectovesical pouch in the male.[1] It varies in size with the distension of the rectum.[citation needed]
| Pararectal fossa | |
|---|---|
The peritoneum of the male pelvis. (Pararectal fossa visible at center left.) | |
 Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. (Pararectal fossa labeled at bottom left.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | fossa pararectalis |
| TA98 | A10.1.02.514 |
| TA2 | 3728 |
| FMA | 19749 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
In females, the pararectal fossae often represent the inferior-most portion of the peritoneal cavity (sometimes, the inferior-most portion is instead rectouterine pouch).[2]
External links
- Anatomy photo:43:02-0402 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center – "The Female Pelvis: Distribution of the Peritoneum in the Female Pelvis"
