{{Short description|Partition of the rectovesical pouch}} {{Infobox anatomy | Name = Rectoprostatic fascia | Latin = fascia rectoprostatica | Image = Gray1136.png | Caption = Rectoprostatic fascia | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Precursor = | System = | Artery = | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = }}

The '''rectoprostatic fascia''' ('''Denonvilliers' fascia''') is a membranous partition at the lowest part of the rectovesical pouch. It separates the prostate and urinary bladder from the rectum.<ref name="Rectoprostatic Fascia">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_f_03zPzhtm#13590047 |title=Dorland's Medical Dictionary |access-date=2007-12-11 }}</ref> It consists of a single fibromuscular structure with several layers that are fused together and covering the seminal vesicles. It is also called ''Denonvilliers' fascia'' after French anatomist and surgeon Charles-Pierre Denonvilliers.<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|2339|Denonvilliers' fascia}}</ref>

The structure corresponds to the rectovaginal fascia in the female. The rectoprostatic fascia also inhibits the posterior spread of prostatic adenocarcinoma; therefore invasion of the rectum is less common than is invasion of other contiguous structures.

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Muscles of trunk}} {{Peritoneum}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Pelvis Category:Prostate Category:Fascia

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