[Arcus tendineus fascia pelvis: anatomical study].

OBJECTIVE

To reveal the anatomy of arcus tendineus fascia pelvis.

MATERIAL

and methods. 2 fixed female cadaver pelvises (88 and 66 years old) were dissected.

RESULTS

The arcus tendineus fascia pelvis is a fibrous recess of the pelvic fascia which is 10 cm long, laterally to the obturator internus muscle and medially to the peritoneum. It reaches the ischial spine lower and anteriorly to the pubo-vesical ligament. The third posterior part of the arcus tendineus of the pelvic fascia is commun with the posterior part of the arcus tendineus of the levator ani. This third posterior part is like a curve concave anteriorly. This curve is thick and easy to recognize by the palpation. This third posterior curve is 1cm in front of the ischial spine and 2cm in front of the pudendal vessel which took place behind the ischial spine. The vessels of the obturator internus muscle originated from the internal iliac vessel and crossed laterally the median part of the arcus tendineus of the pelvic fascia.

CONCLUSION

Sutures must be placed through the anterior and median part of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis, in front of the posterior part of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis to avoid any injury to the pudendal vessels.