tendinous arch of pelvic fascia; rectoprostatic fascia

Introduction

A linear thickening of the parietal fascia forming a continuous bilateral band running from the pubis to the sacrum along the pelvic floor adjacent to the viscera.

• anterior-most part of the band - the puboprostatic ligament connects the prostate to the pubis in the male or the pubovesical ligament connects the base of the bladder to the pubis in the female
• posterior-most part runs as the sacrogenital ligaments (rectoprostatic ligaments) from the sacrum around the side of the rectum to attach to the prostate in the male or the vagina in the female.

Function

• gives attachment to the supporting ligaments of the pelvic viscera.

More general terms

• tendinous arch

Additional terms

• perineum