What is the ischioanal fossa?

The ischioanal fossa is a space filled with fat lateral to the anal canal and just below the pelvic diaphragm. The ischioanal fossa has a shape of a triangular pyramid with the apex at the boundary of the anal canal and the obturator fascia, and the base directed towards the perineal surface.[1]

What is the medical definition of fossa?

Medical Definition of fossa : an anatomical pit, groove, or depression the temporal fossa of the skull the fossa in the liver for the gallbladder. Other Words from fossa.

What tissue fills the ischioanal fossa?

The internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerve lie in Alcock’s canal on the lateral wall. The fossa is filled with fatty tissue across which numerous fibrous bands extend from side to side.

What does Ischiorectal mean?

: of, relating to, or adjacent to both ischium and rectum a pelvic ischiorectal abscess.

What are the boundaries of the ischiorectal fossa?

Anteriorly: Posterior free border of urogenital diaphragm. Posteriorly: Lower border of gluteus maximus and sacrotuberous ligament. Medially: Levator ani above and sphincter ani externus below. Laterally: Obturator internus with obtrurator fascia above and ischial tubrosity below.

What is a dentate line?

The dentate line is located one third below the entire surgical anal canal. The area between the dentate line and the anal verge is called the “anoderm,” which is a nonkeratinized squamous epithelium and has no structures such as hair follicles or glands. It is also soft when palpated and sensitive to pain.

What is an example of a fossa?

Fossa – A shallow depression in the bone surface. Here it may receive another articulating bone or act to support brain structures. Examples include trochlear fossa, posterior, middle, and anterior cranial fossa.

How many types of fossa are there?

They are known as the anterior cranial fossa, middle cranial fossa and posterior cranial fossa. Each fossa accommodates a different part of the brain. The anterior cranial fossa is the most shallow and superior of the three cranial fossae.

Where does the ischioanal fossa reside?

The ischioanal fossa (formerly called ischiorectal fossa) is the fat-filled wedge-shaped space located lateral to the anal canal and inferior to the pelvic diaphragm.

Why Ischiorectal abscess is very painful?

An anal abscess is a painful condition in which a collection of pus develops near the anus. Most anal abscesses are a result of infection from small anal glands. The most common type of abscess is a perianal abscess. This often appears as a painful boil-like swelling near the anus.

Is the Ischiorectal Fossa part of the pelvic cavity?

The ischioanal fossa (formerly called ischiorectal fossa) is the fat-filled wedge-shaped space located lateral to the anal canal and inferior to the pelvic diaphragm….

What is the Pectinate line?

The pectinate or dentate line is a histologic transition zone between squamous and columnar epithelium at the level of the anal valves. Below the pectinate line, the arterial supply is to the middle and inferior rectal arteries, and venous drainage is to the inferior rectal vein.

What kind of shape is the ischioanal fossa?

FMA. 22059. Anatomical terminology. The ischioanal fossa (formerly called ischiorectal fossa) is the fat-filled wedge-shaped space located lateral to the anal canal and inferior to the pelvic diaphragm. It is somewhat prismatic in shape, with its base directed to the surface of the perineum and its apex at the line of meeting

Where is the ischiorectal fossa located in the human body?

The perineum. The integument and superficial layer of superficial fascia reflected. (Ischiorectal fossa labeled at bottom left.) The ischioanal fossa (formerly called ischiorectal fossa) is the fat-filled wedge-shaped space located lateral to the anal canal and inferior to the pelvic diaphragm.

What causes an abscess in the fossa ischioanal?

In this region, we found trans- and suprasphincteric tracks with abscesses in the fossa ischioanal ( Jostarndt et al., 1984 ). Other causes of anal fistulas include opened perianal or ischioanal abscesses, which drain spontaneously through these fistulous tracts.

Where is the base of the fossa located?

is·chi·o·a·nal fos·sa. a wedge-shaped space with its base toward the perineum and lying between the tuberosity of the ischium and the obturator internus muscle laterally and the external anal sphincter and the levator ani muscle medially.