Rectovaginal fascia

The borders of the posterior compartment are the skeletal elements of the sacrum and the coccyx dorsally. They are completed by the anococcygeal body (see Table 1.1) dorsocaudally and by the components of the levator ani muscle laterally and cau-dally (Fig. 1.1a). The rectovaginal fascia constitutes an incomplete border ventrocranially The ventro-... 

The borders are the components of the levator ani muscle laterally and the perineal body caudally (Fig. 1.1b). No distinct borders can be described ventrally, whereas the rectovaginal fascia/septum constitutes the dorsal border. The middle compartment contains the female genital organs that are arranged in a more or less coronal plane. In more detail the ovaries, the uterine tubes, the uterus and the vagina are situated in this compartment (Fig. 1.1a). 

Fig. 1.4. Rectovaginal fascia (orrows). Axial section (400 pm) of a 24-week-old female fetus. X 28. V, Vagina r, rectum...

Dorsomedially,the middle compartment abuts the posterior compartment. The border between these compartments is demarcated by the rectovaginal fascia/septum (see also Sect 1.3.1), that is composed of dense coimective tissue, elastic fibers [44] and smooth muscle cells that belong to the longitudinal layer of the rectal wall. 

Ludwikowski B, Oesch-Hayward I, Fritsch H (2002) Rectovaginal fascia an important structure in pelvic visceral surgery About its development, structure, and function. J Pediatr Surg 37 634-638... 

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