19/08/2025
HEALTH TALK ON Pouch of Douglas
Pouch of douglas is a peritoneal fold present behind the uterus. It lies between the uterus and the re**um. It is present only in females.
How is it formed?
All our visceral organs are carefully packed inside and covered by a membranous layer, called the peritoneum. As this membranes covers the internal organs of the body, it may form folds as it spread.
One such fold is the pouch of douglas, which is formed when the peritoneum covers the uterus and then climbs upwards to cover the re**um behind.
Pouch of douglas is also called cul de sac. This area is the bottom most portion of the peritoneal cavity, therefore, when any fluid oozes in the peritoneal cavity, it tends to get accumulated here.
Causes of Fluid in the Pouch of Douglas
Inflammatory process in any of the pelvic organ may cause oozing out of fluid. This fluid may get collected in the pouch of douglas.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
This is a broad term that include all infections of the upper female ge***al tract. Most often, the infections ascend form the cervix or the va**na.
The causative micro- organism climbs up the va**na to enter the uterus, then the tubes an finally the ovaries.
Sometimes, there may be an infection in the appendix or nearby intestines. In such situations, the ovaries or the tubes may get infected directly from these infected organs.
PID presents itself clinically as low abdomen pain with backache. There may be fever, an increase in the total white blood cells of the body.
There may or may not be a discharge from the va**na.
Your doctor may examine you well and order a couple of test, including cervical swab, to make the diagnosis.
Most cases of PID would have some fluid collected in the pouch of douglas.
Get your self treated, Health is wealth
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