Pelvic floor
Definition
The pelvic floor consists of the soft tissues within the bony pelvis. These tissues enclose the outlet to the pelvis and are part of the birth canal.
Functions
To keep the pelvis and abdominal contents in place including the gravid uterus.
To allow access to the outside of the bladder, the uterus and the rectum
Structure
Urogenital hiatus – an anteriorly situated gap, which allows passage of the urethra (and the vagina in females).
Rectal hiatus – a centrally positioned gap, which allows passage of the anal canal.
Layers
Deep layer
The levator ani
Ishio coccygens
Ilio coccygeus
Pubis coccygeus
Middle layer
The deep transverse perineal
Superficial layer
The bulbo-cavernosus
The ischio-cavernosus
The superficial transverse perineal
The anal sphincter
Location
The pelvic floor is a funnel-shaped structure. It attaches to the walls of the lesser pelvis, separating the pelvic cavity from the perineum inferiorly (region which includes the genitalia and anus).
REFERENCES
SELLERS Midwifery Second Edition, Pauline McCall Sellers, Joan Dippenaar and Dicky da Serra, 2012, 100
teach me anatomy.info
Original Author(s): Sophie Fidoe
Last updated: March 21, 2021
Nerve supply
The pelvic floor is considered the “floor of the core.” Innervation of the pelvic floor posteriorly is by direct efferents from the S2–4 nerve roots,
Blood supply
Its three terminal branches – the pudendal, inferior gluteal, and inferior vesical arteries – access and pierce these muscles in order to supply them. Venous drainage is achieved by the similarly named veins.
Author: Lorenzo Crumbie MBBS, BSc • Reviewer: Alexandra Osika
Last reviewed: July 19, 2022
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