| Pararectal fossa | |
| Latin: | fossa pararectalis |
The pararectal fossa (or pararectal pouch) is an inferior-ward extension of the peritoneum on either side of the rectum. It is formed by a (sacrogenital) fold of peritoneum extending inferior-ward from the posterolateral pelvic wall. It represents a lateral extension of the rectouterine pouch in the female, and of rectovesical pouch in the male.[1] It varies in size with the distension of the rectum.
In females, the pararectal fossae often represent the inferior-most portion of the peritoneal cavity (sometimes, the inferior-most portion is instead rectouterine pouch).[2]