Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perincum
The pelvic muscles support the bladder, bowel, and uterus. When they contract, the organs are lifted and the openings to the vagina, anus, and urethra are tightened. When the muscles are relaxed, urine and feces can be released from the body. Pelvic floor muscles also play an important role in sexual function.
The pelvic diaphragm is formed by the union of the levator ani and the coccygeus muscles. A layer of fascia lines the superior and inferior aspects of the pelvic diaphragm (Figures 12-1A). The levator ani muscle consists of three separate muscles: pubococcygeus, puborectalis, and iliococcygeus.
What muscles support the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor muscles support the contents of the pelvis. The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is composed of muscle fibers of the levator ani, the coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue which span the area underneath the pelvis.
What are the perineal muscles?
The transverse perineal muscles (transversus perinei) are the superficial and the deep transverse perineal muscles.
The superficial transverse perineal muscle (transversus superficialis perinei) is a narrow muscular slip, which passes more or less transversely across the perineal space in front of the anus.
What weakens pelvic floor muscles?
Common causes of a weakened pelvic floor include pregnancy, childbirth, prostate cancer treatment in males, obesity and the associated straining of chronic constipation. Pelvic floor exercises are designed to improve your muscle tone. Doing these exercises may prevent the need for corrective surgery.
How can I strengthen my pelvic floor muscles?
To strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, sit comfortably and squeeze the muscles 10-15 times in a row. Don’t hold your breath or tighten your stomach, buttock or thigh muscles at the same time. When you get used to doing pelvic floor exercises, you can try holding each squeeze for a few seconds.
Muscles of the urogenital diaphragm
The urogenital diaphragm consists of the deep transverse perineal muscle with the superior and inferior fascia. … The superficial trigonal muscle is composed of the bulbocavernosus, ischiocavernosus, and superficial transverse perineal muscles in the anterior triangle and the anal sphincter in the posterior triangle.
Muscles of superficial perineal space
Superficial perineal pouch – a potential space between the perineal membrane (superiorly) and the superficial perineal fascia (inferiorly). It contains the erectile tissues that form the penis and clitoris, and three muscles – the ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus and superficial transverse perineal muscles.
External and sphincter is located in posterior half of perineum
The perineum is located between the thighs. … The anal triangle is the posterior half of the perineum. It is bounded by the coccyx, … It contains part of the urethra, external urethral sphincter, and the vagina in the female.
Central tendon of perineum
The perineal body (or central tendon of perineum) is a pyramidal fibromuscular mass in the middle line of the perineum at the junction between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle. … The perineal body is essential for the integrity of the pelvic floor, particularly in females.
Resources
Female Pelvic Floor Anatomy: The Pelvic Floor, Supporting Structures, and Pelvic Organs
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1472875/
To learn more about Dr. Jay Hershman, please visit his website at https://www.jemsmedicaleducationservices.com.