Pouches of the pelvic peritoneum

Looks like

Two pockets of peritoneum in the female pelvis: one between bladder and uterus, and a deeper one (Douglas) between uterus and rectum.

What it does

Let the organs move and are the lowest points where fluid, blood or pus collects.

Keeping it well

Endometriosis often settles in the deep pouch, causing painful sex and periods; free fluid there on a scan after pain may mean bleeding.

Its parts

• Rectouterine pouch (of Douglas)
• Vesicouterine pouch

Related conditions

• Bone metastases and spinal cord compression