Pelvic girdle & pelvic floor

Question 1

What are the bones of the pelvic girdle?

Answer 1

• Ilium
• Pubis
• Ischium

Question 2

What are the joint types of the pelvic girdle?

Answer 2

Both synovial and cartilaginous joints:
- Sacroiliac joint (synovial)
- Pubic symphysis (cartilaginous)
- Obturator foramen (synovial)

Question 3

What muscles pass through?

Answer 3

• Psoas major
• Psoas minor
• Ilacus

Question 4

What are the main layers of the pelvic floor?

Answer 4

• Pelvic diaphragm
• Deep perineal pouch
• Perineal membrane

Question 5

Explain the pelvic diaphragm (muscles and fascia)=

Answer 5

Fascia:
- Is a sheet of connective tissue
- Primarily collagen, that surrounds/ supports and encloses the diaphragm
- It forms ‘compartments’

Muscles:
- Coccygeus
- Levator ani group (Iliococcygeus, pubococcygeus, puborectalis, pubovaginalis )

Question 6

Explain the walls of the pelvic floor=

Answer 6

Anterior wall:
- Pubic bones
- Sacrum symphysis

Posterior wall:
- Sacrum/ coccyx

Lateral wall:
- Obturators
- Piriformis
- Iliac bones (hip bones)
- Iliacus

Question 7

What are the main roles of the levator ani group?

Answer 7

1. Closes inferior opening of pelvis
2. Supports pelvic organs (and baby)
3. Actively controls defecation (puborectalis muscle tone)

Question 8

What is the nerve supply of pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 8

Levator ani-
- Pudendal nerve via spinal roots S2-S4

Coccygeus-
- Spinal roots S4 and S5

Pudendal nerve-
- External genitalia
- Bladder sphincter
- Anus
- Perineum

Question 9

Perineal membrane=

Answer 9

Is a fibrous sheet of connective tissue located in the urogenital triangle of the perineum. It provides structural support for the pelvic floor and serves as an attachment site for muscles and other structures in the pelvic region.
It anchors muscles of the urogenital triangle including:
- deep transverse perineal muscle
- external urethral sphincter

Question 10

Deep perineal pouch=

Answer 10

Space in the pelvis, located within the urogenital triangle of the perineum. It provides support to the pelvic organs, facilitates voluntary control over urination via the external urethral sphincter and involved in reproductive functions.
It has the: Compressor urethrae, urethrovaginalis and deep transverse perineal

Question 11

What is the compressor urethrae?

Answer 11

Is a muscle found in the deep perineal pouch of females. It is part of the external urethral sphincter complex and plays a key role in urinary continence by compressing the urethra.
It works in coordination with other components of the external urethrae sphincter complex, including:
- Sphincter urethrae
- Urethrovaginal sphincter

Question 12

What is the urethrovaginal sphincter?

Answer 12

• Found in deep perineal pouch, beneath the elevator ani muscle and above the perineal membrane
• Surrounds both the urethra and vaginal Canal
  Functions: urinary control, pelvic floor support and vaginal functions