The retropubic space in a nulliparous subject

This view of the retropubic space in a nulliparous woman  is 20 years old.  The posterior surface of the pubis is clear.   The anterior surface of the bladder is clear with the urethra passing beneath the two ligaments and the inferior border of the symphysis pubis

Unusual uterosacral "defect" ?

Another uterosacral defect demonstrating - almost a hernia - in the left uterosacral ligament.  Again a Chinese patient delivered by forceps and presenting with chronic pelvic pain.  The right uterosacral ligament is almost completely intact.

What is your advice to this patient ?

More uterosacral injuries at laparoscopy.  On this occasion a Chinese patient, delivered in Hangzhou - which is interesting because the CS rate is 60-70% and there are correspondlingly few vaginal deliveries. On this occasion there is absent of the left uterosacral ligament that is plastered against the left pelvic side wall.  The right uterosacral ligament is almost intact.  In this patient the features are clearly defined because of the prior procedure to remove the left ovarian endometrioma - by a second year resident.  Peritoneal lavage with normal saline outlines the key anatomical features.

12th BAC will be held at St Georges,16 & 17th September, 2010

The 12th BAC will take place at Department of Anatomy, St Georges, University of London on 16th and 17th September 2010.

Famous alumni of SGUL include Henry Gray and Robert Lee, who both made important contributions to gynaecology in the nineteenth century. In those days materials were stored in alcohol rather than formalin - the latter destroys fine anatomical detail. We hope to offer you material preserved so as to demonstrate important anatomical details on the course

The inferior hypogastric plexus

The three great autonomic plexi are the cardiac (thorax), coeliac (abdomen) and hypogastric (pelvic) plexi. Our collective awareness has diminished since WW2 when cadaveric teaching material were stored in formalin. The great nineteenth century anatomists including Robert Lee and Henry Gray used alcohol to preserve their material

Aberrant reinnervation in the Fallopian tubes

Dr John Sampson first proposed that retrograde menstruation gave rise to endometriosis in the 1920's. Contemporary gynaecology does not give a mechanism for this "reverse" flow of menstrual debris from the uterus along the Fallopian tubes.

New studies (UK, Australia, Belgium) confirm abnormal nerves in the uterus that may upset the normal pattern of menstruation. Others have shown disordered motility of the Fallopian tubes though without demonstrating abnormal nerves in the Fallopian tubes

International Society for Fallopian Tubes 2009

The Royal London Hospital played host to a two-day meeting of the ISFT. And a very good meeting resulted. Startling access to the Fallopian tube from every conceivable angle. There were too many highlights to describe in detail. Witnessing the cone-shaped, swirl of mucus at the time of ovulation that touched down on peritoneal surfaces looking for the fimbriae of the Fallopian tube. Like a non-violent tornado or bath water looking for the plughole - safe conduct of the egg was assured