Rectouterine pouch

The rectouterine pouch (or rectouterine excavation, or rectovaginal) is the extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and back wall of the uterus in the female human body.

In women it is the deepest point of the peritoneal cavity, posterior to (behind) the uterus and anterior to (in front of) rectum. (The pouch on the other side of the uterus is the vesicouterine excavation.)

It is near the posterior fornix of the vagina.

In men, the region corresponding to the rectouterine pouch is the Rectovesical excavation, which lies between the urinary bladder and rectum. (There is no equivalent to the vesicouterine excavation.)

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Pathology

The rectouterine pouch, being the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity in a woman who is standing, is a common site for the spread of pathology such as ascites, tumour, endometriosis, pus, etc.

Naming/Etymology

It is also known by the names Douglas pouch, Douglas space, Douglas cul-de-sac.^[1]

It is named after the Scottish anatomist Dr James Douglas (1675–1742) who extensively explored this region of the female body. Three other nearby anatomical structures are also named for him - the Douglas fold, the Douglas line and the Douglas septum.

Additional images

References

1. ^ synd/2937 at Who Named It