Pelvic Floor Anatomy

The Pelvic Floor - Overview and Function

The pelvic floor is an area of muscle and connective tissue that spans the area underneath the pelvis, separating the pelvic cavity above from the perineal region below. It provides support to the pelvic viscera including the bladder, intestines and uterus (in females). It also assists with continence through control of the urinary and anal sphincters. It facilitates birth by resisting the descent of the presenting part, causing the fetus to rotate forwards to navigate through the pelvic girdle. Finally , it helps to maintain optimal intraabdominal pressure.

Pelvic Floor Myology

Pelvic Floor

Pelvic diaphragm

• Levator ani - pubococcygeus, puborectalis, iliococcygeus
• Ischiococcygeus

Sphincter urethrae

Perineal membrane

Superficial genital muscles;

• Bulbocavernosus (bulbospongiosus in men)
• Ischiocavernosus
• Superficial transverse perineal

Associated muscles;

• Piriformis
• Obturator internus
• Adductors
• Gluteals
• Transverse abdominus
• Multifidus
• Respiratory diaphragm