Transcript Slide 1
ANATOMY OF THE
FEMALE PELVIC FLOOR
AND PERINEUM
Dr. A. O. FAWOLE
DEPT. OF OB-GYN
UCH
Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Anterior perineum
Posterior perineum
Pelvic Floor
Perineum
Borders of pelvic outlet
Anteriorly – ischiopubic rami
Posteriorly – coccyx and sacro-tuberous
ligament
Division (ischial tuberosities)
Anterior perineum (urogenital triangle)
Posterior perineum (anal triangle)
Structures overly perineal membrane
Anterior Perineum
Structures of the Vulva
Mons
Labia
Clitoris
Vestibule
Erectile structures
Vulva
Mons
Hair-bearing skin
Cushion of adipose tissue
Labia majora
Hair-bearing skin
Termination of round ligaments of uterus
Labia minora
Hairless skin fold
Lacks bed of adipose tissue
Forms prepuce/frenulum of clitoris
Glands of the vulva
Labia majora – sebaceous gland
Sweat glands
Bartholin’s glands
Superficial compartment
Space between subcutaneous tissues and
perineal membrane
Clitoris
Crura
Vestibular bulb/Bartholin’s gland
Ischicavernosus (from ischial tuberosity)
Bulbospongiosus (from perineal body)
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
Muscles contained in superficial perineal
pouch
The Perineal Membrane
Triagular sheet in anterior half of pelvic
outlet
Dense fibromuscular tissue
Previously called urogenital diaphragm
Functions
Supports pelvic floor
Counteracts effects of raised intra-abdominal
pressure
Counteracts effects of gravity
The Perineal Membrane
Complete sheet in males
Arises from ischiopubic rami
Attachments
Urethra
Vagina
Perineal body
Limits downward descent
Perineal Body
Mass of connective tissue
Synonym: central tendon of the perineum
Located between vagina and anus
Attachments
Perineal membrane
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
Bulbospongiosus
Levator ani
Coccyx (via external anal sphincter)
Posterior Perineum
Posterior triangle
Anus
Anal sphincter
Levator ani
Ischio-rectal fossa
Ischio-rectal fossa
Lateral - Pudendal vessels/nerve
(Pudendal canal)
Medial – Fascial covering of levator
ani/external anal sphincter
Posterior – sacrotuberous ligament
Anterior – urogenital perineum
Floor – skin/ subcutaneous fat
Pudendal Nerve/Vessels
Similar channels
Nerve arises from sacral plexus (S2- S4)
Sensory
Motor
Artery: anterior division of internal iliac
artery
Branches
Clitoral
Perineal (largest branch: muscles/skin)
Inferior rectal
Anal Sphincter
External anal sphincter
Superficial portion
Deep portion
Internal anal sphincter
Thickening of circular smooth muscle of
anal wall
Important during repair of third
(fourth) degree perineal laceration
The Pelvic Floor
Demands of upright posture
Support for pelvic structures
Passage of fetus
Openings for waste elimination
Fibromuscular floor
Visceral ligaments/fascia
Levator ani/Pelvic Wall
Levator ani most important muscle
Pubo-rectal
Pubo-coccygeal
Coccygeal
Origin: Posterior aspect of pubic bone, fascia
of pelvic side wall, ischial spine
Insertion: Perineal body, anal sphincter,
coccyx
Constitute pelvic diaphragm
Surfaces covered by fascia
Pelvic Floor
Pubo-rectal and pubo-coccygeal most
medial
Pelvic diaphragm forms U-shaped
layer of muscle
Opening end of U directed anteriorly
(urogenital sinus)
Urethra
Vagina
rectum
Pelvic supports
Condensations of connective tissue or
endopelvic fascia
Cardinal ligament
Uterosacral ligament
Pubocervical fascia
Clinical significance
Prolapse of pelvic structures
Damage
Weakness
Cardinal ligament
Transverse cervical/Mackenrodt’s
ligament
Attaches lateral cervix/upper vagina
to pelvic side wall
Connective tissue/involuntary muscle
Ureter in upper part
Uterosacral ligament
Postero-lateral attachment of lateral
vaginal fornix/cervix/isthmus to
sacro-iliac joint/third piece of sacrum
Pubo-cervical fascia
Extends between cardinal ligament
and pubis
Lateral to the bladder
Significant in repair operation for
cystocoele (anterior colporrhaphy)