The pelvic floor (muscles)

Question 1

what does the pelvic viscera contain?

Answer 1

bladder, rectum, pelvic genital organs and terminal part of the urethra

Question 2

where does the pelvic viscera reside?

Answer 2

within the pelvic cavity (or the true pelvis)

Question 3

where is the pelvic cavity located?

Answer 3

within the lesser part of the pelvis, beneath the pelvic brim

Question 4

what makes up the walls of the pelvic cavity?

Answer 4

A number of muscles

Question 5

which muscles make up the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity?

Answer 5

the obterator internus and the pirrformis muscle

Question 6

what else does the piriformis muscle form?

Answer 6

the posterior wall of the pelvic cavity

Question 7

what do the pelvic floor muscles make up?

Answer 7

the inferior lining of the pelvic cavity

Question 8

what is the pelvic floor also known as?

Answer 8

pelvic diaphragm

Question 9

what is the pelvic floor?

Answer 9

a funnel-shaped musculature structure

Question 10

what does the pelvic floor attach to?

Answer 10

attaches to the walls of the lesser pelvis

Question 11

what does the pelvic floor separate?

Answer 11

separating the pelvic cavity from the inferior perineum

Question 12

what is the inferior perineum? (content)

Answer 12

region which includes the genitalia and anus

Question 13

what is present in the pelvic floor to allow for urination and defecation?

Answer 13

two ‘holes’:
urogenital hiatus
rectal hiatus

Question 14

where is the urogenital hiatus?

Answer 14

An anteriorly situated gap

Question 15

function of the urogenital hiatus?

Answer 15

allows passage of the urethra (and the vagina in females)

Question 16

where is the rectal hiatus?

Answer 16

A centrally positioned gap

Question 17

function of the rectal hiatus?

Answer 17

allows passage of the anal canal

Question 18

what is between the urogenital hiatus and the anal canal?

Answer 18

lies a fibrous node known as the perineal body which joins the pelvic floor to the perineum

Question 19

function of the pelvic floor muscles - floor of pelvic cavity?

Answer 19

important role in the correct functions of the pelvic and abdominal viscera

Question 20

roles of pelvic floor muscles?

Answer 20

Support of abdominopelvic viscera
Resistance to increases in intra-pelvic/abdominal pressure
Urinary and fecal continence

Question 21

what is within the abdominopelvic viscera?

Answer 21

bladder, intestines, uterus etc

Question 22

how do pelvic floor muscles support the abdominopelvic viscera?

Answer 22

through their tonic contraction

Question 23

when is Resistance to increases in intra-pelvic/abdominal pressure required?

Answer 23

during activities such as coughing or lifting heavy objects

Question 24

how do pelvic floor muscles aid in Urinary and fecal continence?

Answer 24

The muscle fibers have a sphincter action on the rectum and urethra. They relax to allow urination and defecation