What is the clinical significance of the rectouterine pouch?
Clinical significance As it is the furthest point of the abdominopelvic cavity in women, it is a site where infection and fluids typically collect. The rectouterine pouch can be used in the treatment of end-stage kidney failure in patients who are treated by peritoneal dialysis.
What lies in the rectouterine pouch?
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.
What stage is endometriosis in posterior cul-de-sac?
The Revised American Fertility Society Classification, which doesn’t recognize extensive disease, rates partial cul-de-sac obliteration as 4 points and complete cul-de-sac obliteration as 40 points, yielding partial obliteration as Stage 1 endometriosis and complete cul-de-sac obliteration as Stage 4 endometriosis.
Can you get cancer in the pouch of Douglas?
The POD is named after the Scottish anatomist, James Douglas. It is the most dependent portion of a woman’s pelvis and thus a common location for fluid, abscesses and drop metastases. Primary malignancy can also occur in the POD, albeit rare, with only 31 cases reported in English literature so far.
How do you check a rectouterine pouch?
While gently pressing your fingers as superiorly as possible, examine the rectouterine pouch. During this procedure, palpate laterally, identifying the right and left uterosacral ligaments and noting any masses or abnormal tenderness. Re-examine both the right and left adnexa with the rectovaginal technique.
Can fluid in the pouch of Douglas cause pain?
Fluid sometimes builds up in these pouches. A little fluid is normal, but if it contains pus or blood, or if it’s causing pain, there may be a bigger health problem.
What is the vagina pouch called?
How do you know what stage of endometriosis you have?
Based on the results, the condition is ranked in one of four stages:
- Stage 1 or minimal: There a few small implants or small wounds or lesions.
- Stage 2 or mild: There are more implants than in stage 1.
- Stage 3 or moderate: There are many deep implants.
- Stage 4 or severe: This is the most widespread.
What is the treatment for fluid in the pouch of Douglas?
Culdocentesis is the puncture and aspiration (withdrawal) of fluid from the pouch of Douglas or rectouterine pouch. The pouch of Douglas or rectouterine pouch is formed between the part of the gut and the uterus. The procedure involves the introduction of a needle through the vaginal wall into the pouch of Douglas.
Where is rectouterine pouch located?
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.
What is pathology rectouterine pouch?
Pathology. The recto-uterine pouch, being the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity in a woman at supine position, is a common site for the spread of pathology such as ascites, tumour, endometriosis, pus, etc.
What is another name for the recto-uterine excavation?
The rectouterine (or recto-uterine) pouch is also called the rectouterine excavation, uterorectal pouch, rectovaginal pouch, pouch of Douglas (after anatomist James Douglas, 1675–1742), Douglas pouch, Douglas cavity, Douglas space, Douglas cul-de-sac, Ehrhardt–Cole recess, Ehrhardt–Cole cul-de-sac, cavum Douglasi, or excavatio rectouterina.
How much fluid should be in the rectouterine pouch during menstruation?
It is normal to have approximately 1 to 3 ml (or mL) of fluid in the rectouterine pouch throughout the menstrual cycle. After ovulation there is between 4 and 5 ml of fluid in the rectouterine pouch.
Why would my doctor order an endometrial biopsy?
Your provider can also use endometrial biopsy to check for uterine infections, such as endometritis. Your provider may also use an endometrial biopsy to check the effects of hormone therapy or to find abnormal cells or cancer. Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs.