Cul-de-sac

Cul-de-sac is a term used in medicine to refer to a blind pouch or cavity that is closed at one end. It is derived from the French term meaning "bottom of the bag". In the medical context, it is often used to describe certain structures in the human body.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

In anatomy, the term cul-de-sac is used to describe several different structures. These include:

Rectouterine pouch: Also known as the pouch of Douglas, this is the deepest point of the female peritoneal cavity.
Retzius cul-de-sac: This is a space located between the bladder and the pubic symphysis in males.
Vesicouterine pouch: This is a slight depression in the peritoneal space in females, located between the bladder and the uterus.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

The cul-de-sac can have clinical significance in a number of different medical conditions. For example, in women, the rectouterine pouch can be an area where endometriosis can occur. This is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing pain and potentially leading to fertility problems.

In addition, fluid can accumulate in the cul-de-sac in certain conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or ovarian cancer. This can be detected through a physical examination or imaging studies, and may require treatment.

References[edit | edit source]

Cul-de-sac Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.