Pelvic Floor

Question 1

What are the boudnaries of the pelvic outlet?

Answer 1

pubic arch
ischiopubic rami
sacrotuberous ligaments
tip of coccyx

Question 2

THe pelvic diaphragm is a funnel shape hammock hanging from what structure?

Answer 2

the tendinous arch of the obturator internus

Question 3

What two muscles make up the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 3

levator ani and coccygeus

Question 4

What is the coccygeus associated with?

Answer 4

It’s just a muscular layer on the deep surface of the sacrospinous ligament

Question 5

WHat are three muscles that make up the levator ani?

Answer 5

the pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus

part of the pubococcygeus that wraps aroudn the rectum is the puborectalis, or puborectal sling

Question 6

What does the puborectal sling do?

Answer 6

It is tonically contracted to create a kink in the rectum and stop movement of feces thorugh the rectum

Question 7

Fibers of the levator ani blend with the outer longitudinal fibers of the rectum to form what?

Answer 7

the external anal sphincter

Question 8

What is the pelvic diaphragm perforated by?

Answer 8

the urethra, vagina and anal canal

Question 9

What two muscles for the lateral and posterior muscular walls of the pelvis (not directly related to the diaphragm)?

Answer 9

obturator internus and piriformis

Question 10

Why is the ischial spine such a key landmark in this region?

Answer 10

marks the posterior edge of the levator ani and the attachment of the cocygeus

also marks narrowest diameter of the pelvis

also identified the location of the pudendal nerve where it exits the greater sciatic foramen to reenter via the lesser sciatic foramen

Question 11

What are hte functions of the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 11

support the pelvic floor and the organs that pierce it

resists outward thrusts accompanying increases in intra-abdominal pressure

assists in defacation and urination