ABSTRACT
Swellings that arise from the pelvis can be considered under their anatomical site of origin. A number of structures may appear to be pelvic when their true site of origin is really abdominal. Ultrasound scanning has improved the detection of lesions that are not necessarily palpable without a vaginal or rectal examination. The background to the swellings can be simply described by the ‘five Fs’:
fat
fluid
faeces
flatus
fetus
