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Douglas, pouch of: An extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and back wall of the uterus.
The term "cul-de-sac," aside from being any "blind pouch or cavity that is closed at one end," is used specifically to refer to the rectouterine pouch. From that fact comes:
In French, "cul-de-sac" literally is "bottom of (a) sack." As early as the 13th century, a cul-de-sac was a dead-end street (or a dead-end way), a blind alley. (The third letter in "cul" is silent in French; in English it is spoken. So, in French "cul" is pronounced "ku" and in English "kul").
The rectouterine pouch is called the pouch of Douglas after the Scottish anatomist James Douglas (1675-1742) who explored this region of the female body and left his name attached to at least 3 other structural features in the vicinity.
The pouch of Douglas is the lowest area of the peritoneal cavity in women. Its position can cause the pouch of Douglas to be...
Pouch of Douglas: An extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and back wall of the uterus. The term "cul-de-sac," aside from being any "blind pouch or ...
pouch (pouch) a pocket or sac. abdominovesical pouch one formed by reflection of the peritoneum from the abdominal wall to the anterior surface of the bladder.
Definition of POUCH OF DOUGLAS: a deep peritoneal recess between the uterus and the upper vaginal wall anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly—called also cul-de-sac ...
pouch (pouch) n. 1. A small bag often closing with a drawstring and used especially for carrying loose items in one's pocket. 2. A bag or sack used to carry mail or ...