Culdoscope
Encyclopedia
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
pelvic organs, introduced through the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
into the cul-de-sac
Pouch of Douglas
The rectouterine pouch is the extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and back wall of the uterus in the female human body....
(which is also called the rectouterine pouch or the pouch of Douglas
Pouch of Douglas
The rectouterine pouch is the extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and back wall of the uterus in the female human body....
). The procedure of inserting the culdoscope into the rectouterine pouch is termed culdoscopy.
The word culdoscope (and culdoscopy
Culdoscopy
Culdoscopy is a medical diagnostic procedure performed to examine the rectouterine pouch and pelvic viscera by the introduction of a culdoscope through the posterior vaginal wall. The word culdoscopy is derived from the phrase cul-de-sac, which means literally in French "bottom of a sac"...
) is derived from the phrase cul-de-sac
Cul-de-sac
A cul-de-sac is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road or court meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet...
, which in French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
literally means "bottom of a sac", here referring to a blind pouch or cavity in the female body that is closed at one end, that is the rectouterine pouch. As early as the 13th century, a cul-de-sac was a dead-end street (or a dead-end way), a blind alley
Alley
An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane found in urban areas, often for pedestrians only, which usually runs between or behind buildings. In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network, or a right of way or ancient footpath in an urban setting...
.