Pararectal fossa

In the male, the peritoneum encircles the sigmoid colon, from which it is reflected to the posterior wall of the pelvis as a fold, the sigmoid mesocolon. It then leaves the sides and, finally, the front of the rectum, and is continued on to the upper ends of the seminal vesicles and the bladder; on either side of the rectum it forms a fossa, the pararectal fossa, which varies in size with the distension of the rectum.

Pararectal fossa
The peritoneum of the male pelvis. (Pararectal fossa visible at center left.)
Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. (Pararectal fossa labeled at bottom left.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	fossa pararectalis
TA	A10.1.02.514
FMA	19749
Anatomical terminology