PELVIS 



587 



VERTEIX 



it is separated by the recto-vesical fascia, the deferent ducts 

 and seminal vesicles which are enclosed in the fascia, and 

 the peritoneum of the anterior wall of the recto-vesical 

 excavation. 



The apex is placed in relation with the upper part of the 

 symphysis pubis. It is continuous with a strong fibrous 

 cord, the ligamentum umbilicale medium (urachus\ which 

 proceeds upwards, on the posterior aspect of the anterior 

 abdominal wall, to the umbilicus. The urachus is the re- 

 mains of the intra-abdominal part of the allantoic diverticulum 

 from the hind-gut of the embryo. 



The superior surface looks upwards and backwards, and is 

 completely covered by peri- 

 toneum. It supports some 

 coils of small intestine and, 

 as a rule, a coil of the pelvic 

 colon. It is slightly 

 convex; it is tri- 

 angular in outline, 

 and is bounded by 

 three borders, viz. 

 two lateral, which 

 diverge from the 

 apex, and a pos- 

 terior, which 

 separates it from y RE:TC R 

 the base. The 

 lateral and pos- 

 terior borders 



URETER 



FIG. 233. Diagram of the Under Surface of the 

 Empty Bladder. (After A. F. Dixon. ) 



meet at the lateral angles, and at these angles the ureters 

 enter the bladder wall. Each lateral border is in relation 

 with the side wall of the pelvis, along a line considerably 

 below the level of the deferent ducts and the umbilical artery. 



The infero-lateral surfaces are separated from each other 

 by a rounded anterior border. Each infero-lateral surface 

 forms part of the posterior wall of the cave of Retzius, 

 and is separated by extra-peritoneal fat from the back of the 

 body of the pubic bone and the fascia covering the pelvic 

 surfaces of the obturator internus and the levator ani muscles. 



The anterior border, which separates the infero-lateral sur- 

 faces, lies behind the symphysis and in front of the prostate. 

 It extends downwards and backwards to the internal urethral 



