[Fossae, recesses and culs-de-sac in the pelvic peritoneum of women (author's transl)].

The pelvic peritoneum in women is peculiarly irregular because of the numerous folds, fossae, recesses and culs-de-sac that exist in it. Blood and purulent serous fluids occur in the abdomino-pelvic cavity and stagnate in these sites. Since they are particularly to be found around the adnexae they can give rise to secondary infection occurring as a result of primary adnexal infection. Furthermore, when serous fluid is regurgitated into the tubo-ovarian hollow through the abdominal os of the tube and into the pertoneum around the ovary, adhesions and endometrial deposits occurring in this area can be explained. Each one of these structures should be systematically explored, particularly when hystero-salpingographies and laparoscopies are being carried out. Furthermore, they should be cleaned out very meticulously after all conservative surgery to prevent the formation of adhesions.