Pelvic Floor Flashcards
What are the functions of the pelvic floor?
Supports the pelvic organs Maintains intra-abdominal pressure Facilitate defaecation + micturition Maintain urinary and faecal continence Facilitate childbirth
By what 3 mechanisms does the pelvic floor offer support?
Suspension
Fusion
Attachment
How does the pelvic floor provide suspension?
Vertical support acting against gravity via ligaments
What ligaments provide suspension?
Cardinal ligaments
Uterosacral ligaments
Round ligament
What is the cardinal ligaments?
Holds the cervix and upper vagina in place
What is the uterosacral ligaments?
Holds the back of the cervix and upper vagina laterally
What is the round ligament?
Maintain the anteverted position of the uterus
What provides attachement?
Arcus tendinosus fascia pelvic
Endopelvic fascia
What is the role of attachment?
Maintain urinary continence - compresses urethra
What is supported by fusion?
Lower half of the vagina
Fusion of the vaginal endopelvic fascia to the perineal body posteriorly, levator ani laterally, and urethra anteriorly
What makes up the pelvic floor?
Levator ani muscles
Urogenital diaphragm
Perineal body
Perineal muscles
What is the levator ani?
Broad U-shaped sheet
Stretches backwards and inwards from either side of the pelvis
Encircles the urethra, vagina and the rectum
What makes up the levator ani?
Pubococcygeus
Puborectalis
Iliococcygeus
Where does the levator ani originate?
Body of the pubic bone, obturator internus, medial ischial spine
Where does levator ani insert?
Encircles the urethra
Encircles the vagina
Encircles the rectum
Lower part of coccyx