Rectovaginal Septum Endometriosis

In: How to Perform Ultrasonography in Endometriosis · 2018 · pp. 97–102 · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-71138-6_11 · W2896656938
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The rectovaginal septum is an anatomical structure composed of connective tissue, smooth muscle, vessels, and nerves situated between the posterior vagina and anterior rectum.

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This chapter describes the rectovaginal septum (RVS) as a pelvic anatomic structure located retroperitoneally between the posterior vaginal wall and the anterior rectum, detailing its connective tissue composition and histotopographic elements such as collagen and elastic fibers, small vessels, smooth muscle cells, and nerve fibers. It summarizes anatomical extent from the base of the rectovaginal pouch of Douglas to the urogenital diaphragm and notes that histology suggests tissue origins related to the autonomic inferior hypogastric plexus. The key limitation is that the excerpt provides descriptive anatomy and histology rather than original patient-based outcomes or diagnostic performance data. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it focuses specifically on rectovaginal septum endometriosis within a procedural ultrasonography-at-endometriosis context.

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Abstract

The rectovaginal septum (RVS) is located in the posterior compartment of the pelvis situated retroperitoneally between the posterior wall of the vagina and the anterior part of the rectum [1]. It is a specific anatomical structure consisting of strong connective tissue between the rectum and the vagina. Histopathological studies have demonstrated that it is formed of a network of collagen and elastic fibres, small vessels, smooth muscle cells and nerve fibres predominantly deriving from the autonomic inferior hypogastric plexus [2]. It thereby connects the perineal body and endopelvic fascia (Fig. 11.1). Anatomically the RVS is described to extend from the base of the rectovaginal pouch of Douglas to the urogenital diaphragm at the top of the perineal body (Fig. 11.2) [3]. Access this chapter Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Purchases are for personal use only Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Rectovaginal Septum Endometriosis. In: Guerriero, S., Condous, G., Alcázar, J.L. (eds) How to Perform Ultrasonography in Endometriosis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71138-6_11 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71138-6_11 Published: Publisher Name: Springer, Cham Print ISBN: 978-3-319-71137-9 Online ISBN: 978-3-319-71138-6 eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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