FACTS & HINTS
High-Yield Facts
Clinical Points
Peritoneal Reflections
Pelvic peritoneum
Lines lateral and posterior pelvic walls and pelvic floor
Covers the rectum, urinary bladder, uterus, and adnexa in the female
Covers the anterior and lateral surfaces of the upper portion of the rectum in both sexes
In men:
Sweeps forward from the rectum to the bladder
Creates a recess between the rectum and the bladder: the rectovesical pouch
Continues over the superior surface of the bladder and ascends on the internal side of the anterior abdominal wall
In women:
Sweeps forward from the rectum onto the posterior fornix of the uterus and the posterior uterine wall
Creates a recess between the rectum and the uterus: the rectouterine pouch (of Douglas)
Covers the posterior, superior and anterior surfaces of the uterus before reflecting onto the superior surface of the bladder
Ascends on the internal side of the anterior abdominal wall
Fluid (blood, pus) can collect in the rectovesical or rectouterine pouches causing an infection and forming pelvic abscesses.