Pararectal fossa
Encyclopedia
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.
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
encircles the sigmoid colon
Sigmoid colon
The sigmoid colon is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus. It forms a loop that averages about 40 cm...
, from which it is reflected to the posterior wall of the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
as a fold, the sigmoid mesocolon
Sigmoid mesocolon
The sigmoid mesocolon is the fold of peritoneum which retains the sigmoid colon in connection with the pelvic wall.Its line of attachment forms a V-shaped curve, the apex of the curve being placed about the point of division of the left common iliac artery....
. It then leaves the sides and, finally, the front of the rectum
Rectum
The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...
, and is continued on to the upper ends of the seminal vesicles and the bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
; on either side of the rectum it forms a fossa, the pararectal fossa, which varies in size with the distension of the rectum.