What is the purpose of the pouch of Douglas?

The pouch of Douglas, like the pouch of a mother kangaroo or a coin purse, can expand to accommodate growing or multiplying things.

How many peritoneal pouches are in pelvic cavity?

In males there is only one potential space for fluid collection posterior to the bladder, the rectovesical pouch. In females there are two potential spaces posterior to the bladder, the uterovesical pouch, and posterior to the uterus the deeper rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas).

What is in the rectovesical pouch?

The rectovesical pouch is the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity and usually contains loops of small bowel or sigmoid colon. It is 7.5 cm from the anal margins and is a potential space for fluid collection in males.

What is the rectouterine pouch?

The rectouterine pouch is a bag-shaped extension of the peritoneum. The rectouterine pouch is the lowest point of the abdominal cavity. In women, it is situated between the rectum and the uterus; in men, between the rectum and the bladder.

Is the rectouterine pouch same as the pouch of Douglas?

The rectouterine pouch (TA: excavatio rectouterina 3), also known as the rectovaginal pouch, cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas, is an extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of uterus and the rectum in females.

Should there be fluid in the pouch of Douglas?

A small amount of fluid in the cul-de-sac is normal and is usually not of concern. If the fluid sample shows signs of pus or blood, the area may need to be drained. Sometimes blood can be a result of ruptured cyst or signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

Are the kidneys in the pelvic cavity?

The abdominopelvic cavity is a body cavity that consists of the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity. It contains the stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, and most of the small and large intestines. It also contains the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs.

What is inside the pelvic cavity?

The pelvic cavity is a funnel-shaped space surrounded by pelvic bones and it contains organs, such as the urinary bladder, rectum, and pelvic genitals, to name a few. The pelvic cavity also has an anteroinferior wall, two lateral walls, and a posterior wall.

Why is it called pouch of Douglas?

It is also called the pouch of Douglas, named after a 17th century Scottish anatomist. This pouch has clinical significance because it is the lowest point of the pelvic cavity of the female. Fluids and pathological material such as blood or pus may accumulate in this cul-de-sac.

Is urinary bladder retroperitoneal?

Retroperitoneal Structures Other organs located in the retroperitoneal space are the kidneys, adrenal glands, proximal ureters, and renal vessels. Organs located below the peritoneum in the subperitoneal space include the lower third of the rectum and the urinary bladder.

Is free fluid in pouch of Douglas normal?

What is pouch of Douglas in pregnancy?

Pouch of Douglas: An extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and the back wall of the uterus. Also known as the rectouterine pouch.

How long does J pouch last?

A J-pouch can last a lifetime. Nevertheless, life throws challenges at us, and most J-pouchers still have the same genetics and circumstances that led to ulcerative colitis. Lots of body parts can fail in 29 years, even original equipment.

What is internal j pouch?

Also called a J pouch or an internal pouch, the procedure involves the creation of a pouch of small intestine to recreate the removed rectum. Two or more loops of intestine are sutured or stapled together to form a reservoir for stool.

What is j pouch surgery?

J pouch. A J-pouch, also known as an ileoanal reservoir, is a surgery performed in order to restore gastrointestinal continuity after a proctocolectomy to remove the colon and rectum. The entire procedure, which is known as proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), is a common surgery for ulcerative colitis .

What is a rectal pouch?

The rectal pouch is also referred to as an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), J-pouch or neo-rectum. The rectal pouch is constructed and used after a rectal cancer has been removed or after the colon and rectum have been removed as a part of the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis .