Culdocentesis is a medical procedure involving the extraction of fluid from the pouch of Douglas (a
rectouterine pouch
The rectouterine pouch (recto-uterine pouch), pouch of Douglas, or rectovaginal pouch is the extension of the peritoneum between the rectum and the posterior wall of the uterus in the human female. Its anterior boundary is formed by the posterior ...
posterior to the
vagina
In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
) through a needle. It can be one diagnostic technique used in identifying
pelvic inflammatory disease (in which case
purulent fluid will be extracted) and ruptured ectopic pregnancies that cause hemoperitoneum.
In the procedure, the rectouterine pouch is often reached through the posterior
fornix of the vagina
The fornices of the vagina (sing. fornix of the vagina or fornix vaginae) are the superior portions of the vagina, extending into the recesses created by the vaginal portion of cervix. The word "fornix" is Latin for "arch".
Structure
There are ...
. The process of creating the hole is called colpotomy if a scalpel incision is made to drain the fluid rather than using a needle.
See also
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amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used primarily in the prenatal diagnosis of genetic conditions. It has other uses such as in the assessment of infection and fetal lung maturity. Prenatal diagnostic testing, which includes amniocentesis, is n ...
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colposcopy
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culdoscopy
Culdoscopy is an endoscopic procedure performed to examine the rectouterine pouch and pelvic viscera by the introduction of a culdoscope through the posterior vaginal wall. The word culdoscopy (and culdoscope) is derived from the term cul-de ...
References
External links
*
"Culdocentesis and colpotomy"at
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of ...
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Female genital procedures
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