sides of the uterus to the lateral and posterior aspect of the 

 bladder; they form in the male the lateral boundaries of the 

 rectovesical pouch; in the female, the lateral boundaries of the 

 rectovaginal pouch, or cul-de-sac of Douglas. The two lateral false 

 ligaments and the superior false ligaments are folds of peritoneum 

 reflected from the walls of the pelvis, on to the obliterated 

 hypogastric arteries, and the urachus respectively. 



The Relations of the Bladder. The superior surface is covered 

 by peritoneum and is in relation with the uterus in the female, 

 the intestines, and sometimes the sigmoid flexure of the colon. 

 Near its posterior aspect the vas deferens is in contact with 

 it. When the bladder is relaxed, this surface shows a trans- 

 verse fold of peritoneum, called the plica vesicalis transversa. 

 The anteroinferior surface is devoid of peritoneum, when 

 empty, and lies in relation with the obturator internus muscles, 

 the puboprostatic ligaments and rectovesical fascia. When 

 distended the upper part of this surface is covered by peri- 

 toneum. Between the bladder and the pubes is a triangular 

 space, containing areolar and adipose tissue, called the pubo- 

 vesical, or space of Retzius. During distention this space is 

 increased, and the anterior-inferior surface lies in contact 

 with the abdominal wall. The lateral surfaces are covered 

 by peritoneum behind and above, the impervious hypogastric 

 arteries, below, and in front of these, the bladder is uncovered 

 by peritoneum and is separated from the pelvic walls and 

 levatores ani muscles by areola tissue and contained fat. The 

 vas deferens crosses the ureter and lies between it and the 

 posterior portion of this surface. When the bladder is empty, 

 the peritoneum sinks down to the sides of the bladder and 

 form the paravesical fossae. The fundus is covered by peri- 

 toneum to within 1^ inches of the prostate gland, and forms 

 the anterior boundary of the rectovesical and vesicouterine 

 pouches in the male and female respectively. Below the 

 reflection of peritoneum, the bladder is in relation with the 

 second portion of the rectum, the seminal vesicles, and the 

 vasa deferentia. The ureters open into the fundus, about 

 1| inches above the base of the prostate gland. The neck 

 is the commencement of the urethra, and is surrounded by 

 the prostate gland. The apex, when empty, is 'on a level with 

 the upper border of the symphysis pubis. 



The arteries are derived from the superior, middle, and 



