Supravesical fossa

The supravesical fossae are concave depressions of peritoneum in the paravesical space bounded by the median umbilical fold and the medial umbilical folds. It partially overlies the inguinal (Hesselbach’s) triangle. The supravesical fossae are usually occupied by small bowel loops and the urinary bladder fundus when the bladder is distended.

Related pathology

Supravesical hernias arise from this fossa. If the hernia continues through the abdominal wall this is classed as a direct inguinal hernia. If the hernia remains in the abdomen, passing into spaces around the urinary bladder it is classed as an internal supravesical hernia.

History and etymology

The term supravesical fossa was introduced by Waldeyer in 1874 .