Muscles of the Pelvis

Question 1

What are the boundaries of the pelvic floor?

Answer 1

It forms the inferior boundary of the pelvic cavity and the superior boundary of the perineum.

Question 2

Describe the shape and openings of the pelvic floor.

Answer 2

It is bowl or funnel-shaped and incomplete anteriorly (urogenital hiatus) for passage of the urethra and vagina, and incomplete posteriorly for passage of the rectum.

Question 3

What are the functions of the pelvic floor?

Answer 3

Supports pelvic viscera to prevent prolapse.
Maintains continence by supporting urethral closure.
Ensures closure of the rectum and vagina.

Question 4

What is the anococcygeal ligament?

Answer 4

A raphe formed by the blending of left and right muscle fibers, located between the anus and coccyx.

Question 5

Where are the lateral attachments of the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 5

It attaches to the coccyx, ischial spine, and the tendinous arch (thickened fascia over the obturator internus muscle).

Question 6

What are the two main muscles of the pelvic floor?

Answer 6

Ischiococcygeus: Helps “tuck the tail.”
Levator Ani: Helps “wag the tail.”

Question 7

Name the three parts of the Levator Ani muscle.

Answer 7

Answer:
Puborectalis
Pubococcygeus
Iliococcygeus

Question 8

What role does the Levator Ani muscle play?

Answer 8

It supports pelvic organs, helps maintain continence, and plays a role in rectal and vaginal closure.

Question 9

What are the three main parts of the Levator Ani muscle?

Answer 9

Puborectalis
Pubococcygeus
Iliococcygeus

Question 10

What structures are supported by the Levator Ani in females?

Answer 10

The rectum, vagina, and urethra.

Question 11

How does the Levator Ani muscle contribute to continence?

Answer 11

It maintains closure of the rectum and vagina and provides support for the urethra.

Question 12

What is the role of the Puborectalis muscle?

Answer 12

It forms a sling around the rectum to assist in maintaining fecal continence.

Question 13

Where does the Pubococcygeus muscle provide support?

Answer 13

It supports the urethra, vagina, and rectum, contributing to pelvic organ support.

Question 14

What is the function of the Iliococcygeus muscle?

Answer 14

It provides additional support to the pelvic floor and helps maintain the position of pelvic organs

Question 15

What structures are visible in an inferior view of the female pelvic floor?

Answer 15

The urethra, vagina, and rectum are visible, supported by the Puborectalis, Pubococcygeus, and Iliococcygeus muscles of the Levator Ani

Question 16

What additional perspective is gained from a superior view of the female pelvic floor?

Answer 16

The arrangement and connections of the Levator Ani muscles relative to the urethra, vagina, and rectum.

Question 17

Which parts of the Levator Ani are commonly torn during childbirth?

Answer 17

Pubococcygeus
Puborectalis

Question 18

How does the Puborectalis muscle contribute to fecal continence?

Answer 18

It forms a sling around the rectum, creating an 80-degree angle to help maintain fecal continence by supporting rectal closure.

Question 19

Where does the rectum pierce the pelvic diaphragm, and what role does this play?

Answer 19

The rectum pierces the pelvic diaphragm at the puborectalis, maintaining an 80-degree angle that is crucial for fecal continence.

Question 20

What is the general function of the Levator Ani muscle group?

Answer 20

To support pelvic organs, maintain continence by supporting the urethra and rectum, and aid in vaginal and rectal closure.