Rectum
Plate374
ActualandPotentialPerineopelvicSpaces
Sagittal section
Visceral
peritoneum
Vesical fascia
Rectal
fascia
Rectal
fascia
Presacral
fascia
Presacral
space
Rectovesical
or rectoprostatic
(Denonvilliers’)
fascia (septum)
Levator ani muscle
and fascia of
pelvic diaphragm
Deep postanal space
Anococcygeal body (ligament)
Superficial postanal space (part
of peri-anal space)
Submucous space
Peri-anal space
Bulbospongiosus muscle and deep perineal (Gallaudet’s) fascia
Superficial perineal compartment (space or pouch)
Perineal membrane,
Deep transverse perineal muscle, and
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
(
cut away
) to expose
Anterior recess of ischio-anal fossa
Pus in ischio-anal fossa
Pre-anal communication (inconstant) between
right and left ischio-anal fossae
Posterior communication between right and left
ischio-anal fossae via deep postanal space
deep to anococcygeal body (ligament)
Gluteus maximus muscle and
Sacrotuberous ligament
(
cut
)
Posterior recess of ischio-anal fossa
Perineal view
Retropubic
(prevesical)
space (of Retzius)
Retrovesical
Prerectal
Retroprostatic
Sphincter urethrae
Deep and superficial
transverse perineal muscles
Deep
Superficial
Subcutaneous
Deep (Buck’s) fascia of penis
Superficial perineal (Colles’) fascia
External
anal
sphincter
muscle*
Recto-
vesical
space
Spread of perineal abscess in perineal spaces
*Parts variable and
often indistinct
