Pelvic floor muscles

Question 1

perineum

Answer 1

this is a diamond shaped region between the thighs
- this is often thought about when you think about people giving birth and how the perineal skin between the vagina and the anus needs to be sliced so that it doesn’t tare

Question 2

pelvic diaphragm

Answer 2

made up of the levantor ani and the coccygeus

- this is the deepest muscle in the pelvic floor and is closest to the pelvic organs

Question 3

pelvic floor

Answer 3

three groups of muscles:
- pelvic diaphragm
-urogenital diaphragm
- superficial perineal layer
these are the muscles that support the pelvic region
- support the organs
- control defecation
-control urination
-stabilize and support the spine

Question 4

urogenital diaphragm

Answer 4

consists of the:
• Deep transverse perineal muscle
• External urethral sphincter
• External anal sphincter

Question 5

Deep transverse perineal muscle

Answer 5

supports the pelvic organs

Question 6

External urethral sphincter

Answer 6

constricts urethra to voluntarily inhibit urination

Question 7

External anal sphincter

Answer 7

closes the anal opening

-this must be relaxed to defecate

Question 8

levantor ani

Answer 8

group of muscles that form part of the pelvic diaphragm

Question 9

coccygeus

Answer 9

forms part of the pelvic floor and supports the pelvic viscera

Question 10

superficial peroneal layer

Answer 10

consists of the:
Ischiocavernosus
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
Bulbospongiosis

Question 11

Ischiocavernosus

Answer 11

assists in erection of the penis or clitoris

Question 12

Superficial transverse perineal muscle

Answer 12

supports the pelvic organs

Question 13

Bulbospongiosis

Answer 13

• female: narrow the vaginal opening and stiffens the clitoris
• male: ejects the urine or semen, compresses the base of the penis and stiffens the penis

Question 14

pudendal nerve

Answer 14

this is the nerve that innervates all of the muscles within the pelvic floor with the exception of the coccygeus

• comes from s2-s4
• somatic sensory and motor innervation of the muscles

Question 15

what innervates the coccygeus

Answer 15

the s4-s5 nerves

Question 16

what happens when the pelvic floor is dysfunctional

Answer 16

• there can be prolapse of the pelvic organs
• there can be incontinence
• it can be in men and women
• can be caused by trauma, back injury, child birth, illness