The rectovaginal fascia (often called rectovaginal septum or sometimes fascia of Otto) is a thin structure separating 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 ...

and the rectum. This corresponds to the

rectoprostatic fascia The rectoprostatic fascia (Denonvilliers' fascia) is a membranous partition at the lowest part of the rectovesical pouch. It separates the prostate and urinary bladder from the rectum. It consists of a single fibromuscular structure with several ...

in the male.

Clinical significance

Perforations in it can lead to

rectocele In gynecology, a rectocele ( ) or posterior vaginal wall prolapse results when the rectum bulges ( herniates) into the vagina. Two common causes of this defect are childbirth and hysterectomy. Rectocele also tends to occur with other forms of pe ...

References

External links

* http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vaginal_prolapse/page18_em.htm Pelvis Fascia {{Anatomy-stub