Which pouch is located between the uterus and rectum?

Which pouch is located between the uterus and rectum?

• A. Rectouterine pouch
• B. Vesicouterine pouch
• C. Inguinal pouch
• D. Omental pouch

Answer: (A)

The space between the uterus and rectum is the rectouterine pouch, also called the pouch of Douglas. It’s a peritoneal recess formed where the peritoneum drapes from the uterus onto the rectum, making this the deepest part of the female peritoneal cavity when upright. Fluid in the pelvis tends to collect here, and historically it’s a common site accessed in procedures like culdocentesis to assess intraperitoneal blood or fluid. The vesicouterine pouch sits anterior to the uterus, between the uterus and the bladder, while the omental (lesser) pouch is a separate space behind the stomach. The inguinal pouch isn’t a typical pelvic peritoneal recess. So, the pouch located between the uterus and rectum is the rectouterine pouch.

The space between the uterus and rectum is the rectouterine pouch, also called the pouch of Douglas. It’s a peritoneal recess formed where the peritoneum drapes from the uterus onto the rectum, making this the deepest part of the female peritoneal cavity when upright. Fluid in the pelvis tends to collect here, and historically it’s a common site accessed in procedures like culdocentesis to assess intraperitoneal blood or fluid. The vesicouterine pouch sits anterior to the uterus, between the uterus and the bladder, while the omental (lesser) pouch is a separate space behind the stomach. The inguinal pouch isn’t a typical pelvic peritoneal recess. So, the pouch located between the uterus and rectum is the rectouterine pouch.