Pelvic Floor Functions Flashcards
What is the function of the pelvic floor?
To separate the pelvic cavity from the perineum
It is important in maintaining continence
Broadly speaking, what are the 3 components of the pelvic floor?
Pelvic diaphragm
Muscles of perineal pouches
Perineal membrane
Pelvic floor muscles are normally tonically contracted/relaxed?
Contracted
How does the pelvic floor help maintain urinary continence?
External urethral sphincter
Compressor urethrae
Levator ani
How does the pelvic floor help maintain faecal continence?
Tonic contraction of puborectalis bends the anorectum anteriorly
What is the deepest layer of the pelvic floor?
Pelvic diaphragm
Which component of the pelvic floor has the appearance of a sling?
Pelvic diaphragm
Which 2 groups of muscles make up the pelvic diaphragm?
Levator ani muscles
Coccygeus
Most of the time, the levator ani muscles are relaxed. True or false?
False
- mainly tonically contracted
- must relax to allow urination and defecation
Name the 3 parts of the levator ani
Puborectalis
Pubococcygeus
Iliococcygeus
Levator ani - puborectalis - location
Sling which travels from pubic bone -> travels posteriorly around the rectum -> attaches to contralateral pubic bone
What muscle needs to relax in order to let faeces pass through?
Puborectalis
Levator ani - iliococcygeus - location
Overlies the obturator interns
From medial to lateral, what is the orientation of the levator ani muscles?
Most medial:
Puborectalis ->
Pubococcygeus ->
Iliococcygeus
During an episiotomy, what is the first structure you cut through?
Puborectalis
What is the innervation of the levator ani muscles?
Nerve to levator ani
Pudendal nerve
Pelvic diaphragm - coccygeus
Formerly referred to as the ishiococcygeus
what is the main muscle that maintains continence and prevents occurrence of a prolapse?
Levator ani
Aside from levator ani, what provides additional support to prevent a prolapse from occurring?
Endo-pelvic fascia
Pelvic ligaments
Where is the deep perineal pouch located?
Located deep to the pelvic floor in the urogenital triangle
Contents of the deep perineal pouch - males
Part of urethra Bulbourethral glands Neurovascular bundle for penis Extension of ischioanal fat pads Dorsal vein of penis External urethral sphincter Compressor urethrae Deep transverse perineal muscle (skeletal muscle)
Contents of the deep perineal pouch - females
Part of urethra Part of vagina Neuromuscular bundle for clitoris Extension of ischioanal fat pads Dorsal vein of clitoris External urethral sphincter Compressor urethrae Smooth muscle
Where is the superficial perineal pouch located?
Lies below the perineal membrane
Contents of the superficial perineal pouch - MALE
Root of the penis - bulb (corpus spongiosum) - crura (corpus cavernosum) Associated muscles - bulb (bulbospongiosus) - crura (ischiocavernosus)
