The Pelvic Floor

Question 1

What is the pelvic floor?

Answer 1

• it is composed primarily of the muscle fibres of the levator ani and soft tissues suspended within the outlet of the pelvis, forming a sling-like sheet of tissue that encloses and supports the pelvic contents (DIAGRAM)

Question 2

What are the functions of the pelvic floor?

Answer 2

• it’s muscles are arranged in 2 layers, superficial and deep
• it supports and maintains the anatomical position of the internal female reproductive organs
• it provides voluntary muscle control for micturition and defecation
• it facilities birth by resisting descent of the descending pp, so forcing the fetus to rotate forward in the presence of strong regular uterine contractions

Question 3

Describe the deep muscle layer

Answer 3

• the deep muscles are collectively known as the levator ani muscles
• the pubococcygeus muscles
  - -> extend from the inner aspect of the pubic bone to the coccyx
  - -> first band surrounds urethra, second surrounds the vagina and perineum and the third band loops around the anus
• the iliococcygeus muscles
  - -> extend from the inner aspect of the iliac bone and fibres from each side meet in the midline in the perineum before extending to the coccyx
• the ischiococcygeus muscles
  - -> arise from the ischial spines and pass to the lower sacrum and upper coccyx
  - -> help support the sacroiliac and sacrococcygeal joints of the pelvis

Question 4

Describe the superficial muscle layer

Answer 4

• ischiocavernosus muscles -> extend from each ischial tuberosity to the clitoris
• bulbocavernosus muscles -> arise from the perineum, pass around the vagina and embedded in the clitoris
• transverse perineal muscles -> extend from the ischial tuberosities to the perineum