Rectovesical pouch

The recto-vesical pouch is the pocket that lies between the rectum and the urinary bladder in human males and other male mammals. It is lined by peritoneum and at its base is the rectoprostatic fascia (Denonvillier's fascia). When a man is upright or supine, the recto-vesical pouch is the lowest part of his peritoneal cavity. Because of this, peritoneal fluid and other fluids that enter the peritoneal cavity, including ascites, blood and pus, tend to collect in this pouch.Median sagittal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciae.The peritoneum of the male pelvis. The recto-vesical pouch is the pocket that lies between the rectum and the urinary bladder in human males and other male mammals. It is lined by peritoneum and at its base is the rectoprostatic fascia (Denonvillier's fascia). When a man is upright or supine, the recto-vesical pouch is the lowest part of his peritoneal cavity. Because of this, peritoneal fluid and other fluids that enter the peritoneal cavity, including ascites, blood and pus, tend to collect in this pouch. In women, the uterus lies between the rectum and the bladder. Therefore, women do not have a recto-vesical pouch, but instead have a recto-uterine pouch and vesico-uterine pouch. This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1152 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)