Pelvic Floor Functions

Question 1

What is the function of the pelvic floor?

Answer 1

To separate the pelvic cavity from the perineum

It is important in maintaining continence

Question 2

Broadly speaking, what are the 3 components of the pelvic floor?

Answer 2

Pelvic diaphragm
Muscles of perineal pouches
Perineal membrane

Question 3

Pelvic floor muscles are normally tonically contracted/relaxed?

Answer 3

Contracted

Question 4

How does the pelvic floor help maintain urinary continence?

Answer 4

External urethral sphincter
Compressor urethrae
Levator ani

Question 5

How does the pelvic floor help maintain faecal continence?

Answer 5

Tonic contraction of puborectalis bends the anorectum anteriorly

Question 6

What is the deepest layer of the pelvic floor?

Answer 6

Pelvic diaphragm

Question 7

Which component of the pelvic floor has the appearance of a sling?

Answer 7

Pelvic diaphragm

Question 8

Which 2 groups of muscles make up the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 8

Levator ani muscles

Coccygeus

Question 9

Most of the time, the levator ani muscles are relaxed. True or false?

Answer 9

False

• mainly tonically contracted
• must relax to allow urination and defecation

Question 10

Name the 3 parts of the levator ani

Answer 10

Puborectalis
Pubococcygeus
Iliococcygeus

Question 11

Levator ani - puborectalis - location

Answer 11

Sling which travels from pubic bone -> travels posteriorly around the rectum -> attaches to contralateral pubic bone

Question 12

What muscle needs to relax in order to let faeces pass through?

Answer 12

Puborectalis

Question 13

Levator ani - iliococcygeus - location

Answer 13

Overlies the obturator interns

Question 14

From medial to lateral, what is the orientation of the levator ani muscles?

Answer 14

Most medial:
Puborectalis ->
Pubococcygeus ->
Iliococcygeus

Question 15

During an episiotomy, what is the first structure you cut through?

Answer 15

Puborectalis

Question 16

What is the innervation of the levator ani muscles?

Answer 16

Nerve to levator ani

Pudendal nerve

Question 17

Pelvic diaphragm - coccygeus

Answer 17

Formerly referred to as the ishiococcygeus

Question 18

what is the main muscle that maintains continence and prevents occurrence of a prolapse?

Answer 18

Levator ani

Question 19

Aside from levator ani, what provides additional support to prevent a prolapse from occurring?

Answer 19

Endo-pelvic fascia

Pelvic ligaments

Question 20

Where is the deep perineal pouch located?

Answer 20

Located deep to the pelvic floor in the urogenital triangle

Question 21

Contents of the deep perineal pouch - males

Answer 21

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)

Question 22

Contents of the deep perineal pouch - females

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Where is the superficial perineal pouch located?

Answer 23

Lies below the perineal membrane

Question 24

Contents of the superficial perineal pouch - MALE

Answer 24

Root of the penis 
- bulb (corpus spongiosum) 
- crura (corpus cavernosum) 
Associated muscles 
- bulb (bulbospongiosus)
- crura (ischiocavernosus)

Question 25

Which muscle rhythmically contracts for ejaculation

Answer 25

Bulbospongiosus

Question 26

Contents of the superficial perineal pouch - FEMALE

Answer 26

Female erectile tissue
- clitoris and crura (corpus cavernosum)
- bulbs of vestibule (paired)
Associated muscles 
- ischiocavernosus
- bulbospongiosus 

Additional contents
- greater vestibular glands (paired)