Vesico-uterine pouch

In human female anatomy, the vesico-uterine pouch, also known by various other names, is a second but shallower pouch formed from the peritoneum over the uterus and bladder, continued over the intestinal surface and fundus of the uterus onto its vesical surface, which it covers as far as the junction of the body and cervix uteri, and then to the bladder. This pouch is an important anatomical landmark for chronic endometriosis. Endometrial seeding in this region causes cyclical pain in women of child bearing age. This pouch is also an important factor in a retroverted uterus, which can frequently complicate pregnancies.

Vesico-uterine pouch
Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment. (Excavatio vesicouterina labeled at bottom right.)
The epiploic foramen, greater sac or general cavity (red) and lesser sac, or omental bursa (blue). Uterovesical excavation labeled at bottom left, third from the bottom.
Details
Identifiers
Latinexcavatio vesicouterina
TAA10.1.02.504F
FMA14729
Anatomical terminology

The vesico-uterine pouch is close to the anterior fornix of the vagina.

Naming and etymology

The vesico-uterine (or vesicouterine) pouch is also called the vesico-uterine (or vesicouterine) excavation, utero-vesical (or uterovesical) pouch, or excavatio vesicouterina. The combining forms reflect the bladder (vesico-, -vesical) and uterus (utero-, -uterine).

Additional images
  • Median sagittal section of female pelvis.

See also

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1152 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)


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