Pelvic Floor Anatomy: Difference between revisions

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| '''Nerve Supply'''
| '''Nerve Supply'''
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| Levator Ani (Pubococcygeus)  
| Levator Ani (Pubococcygeus and Iliococcygeus)  
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| Body of pubis, tendinous arch of obturator fascia, ischial spine
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| Perineal body, coccyx, anococcygeal lig, walls of prostate or vagina, rectum & anal canal
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| Helps to support pelvic viscera & resists increases in intra-abdominal pressure
| Nerve to levator ani (branches of S4) & inferior anal (rectal) nerve & coccygeal plexus
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| Levator Ani (Iliococcygeus)
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| Ischiococcygeus  
| Ischiococcygeus  
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| Ischial Spine
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| Inferior aspect of sacrum
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| Supports pelvic viscera, flexion of coccyx
| Branches of S4 & S5
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| Sphincter urethrae  
| Sphincter urethrae  

Revision as of 00:20, 6 April 2014

The Pelvic Floor - Overview and Function[edit | edit source]

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.

Osteology and Ligaments[edit | edit source]

Pelvic Floor Myology[edit | edit source]

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
Muscle Origin Insertion Action Nerve Supply
Levator Ani (Pubococcygeus and Iliococcygeus) Body of pubis, tendinous arch of obturator fascia, ischial spine Perineal body, coccyx, anococcygeal lig, walls of prostate or vagina, rectum & anal canal Helps to support pelvic viscera & resists increases in intra-abdominal pressure Nerve to levator ani (branches of S4) & inferior anal (rectal) nerve & coccygeal plexus


Levator Ani (Puborectalis)



Ischiococcygeus Ischial Spine Inferior aspect of sacrum Supports pelvic viscera, flexion of coccyx Branches of S4 & S5
Sphincter urethrae