In this issue, we are showing a video clip
from the Female Visible Human data base (Video Clip 1). This
particular movie starts in a cross sectional orientation at
the anal canal and then goes proximally into the pelvis. The
vagina and urethra are inferior to the rectum in this film
clip. The distal colon has fecal material in it, which distends
the rectal vault.
This movie is useful for visualizing the orientation between
the female genitourinary structures and the rectal vault,
and is of value in reading CT scans or in performing radial
array rectal ultrasonography.
Labeled still images are shown from the start (Figure 1A)
and the end (Figure 1B) of the clip. A comparison image of
male and female anatomy is also shown from the mid rectum
(Figure 2). Since the Female Visible Human data base is not
currently available on the WEB, there is no link to interact
with these structures. However, a link to the Visible Human
Interactive Atlas has been made in the mid rectum of the male
(Figure 3) for those wishing to compare the pelvic anatomy
of the male and female.
Editorial Board:
Manoop S. Bhutani, M.D. Galveston, TX
William R. Brugge, M.D. Boston, MA
Peter R. McNally, D.O. Denver, CO
Iqbal S. Sandhu, M.D. Salt Lake City, UT Thomas J. Savides, M.D.
San Diego, CA
