Pelvic floor

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Female pelvic muscles
Male pelvic muscles

The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is an anatomical location in the human body,[1] which has an important role in urinary and anal continence, sexual function and support of the pelvic organs.[2] The pelvic floor includes muscles, both skeletal and smooth, ligaments and fascia.[3] and separates between the pelvic cavity from above, and the perineum from below.[citation needed] It is formed by the levator ani muscle and coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue.[4]

The pelvic floor has two hiatuses (gaps): (anteriorly) the urogenital hiatus through which urethra and vagina pass, and (posteriorly) the rectal hiatus through which the anal canal passes.[5]

Structure

Definition

Some sources do not consider "pelvic floor" and "pelvic diaphragm" to be identical, with the "diaphragm" consisting of only the levator ani and coccygeus, while the "floor" also includes the perineal membrane and deep perineal pouch.[6] However, other sources include the fascia as part of the diaphragm.[7] In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably.[citation needed]

Relations

The

true pelvis has the pelvic floor as its inferior boundary (and the pelvic brim as its superior boundary). The perineum has the pelvic floor as its superior boundary.[citation needed
]

Posteriorly, the pelvic floor extends into the anal triangle.[citation needed]

Function

It is important in providing support for pelvic

urinary and anal sphincters. It facilitates birth by resisting the descent of the presenting part, causing the fetus to rotate forwards to navigate through the pelvic girdle. It helps maintain optimal intra-abdominal pressure.[5]

Clinical significance

The female pelvic floor
The male pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is subject to clinically relevant changes that can result in:

Pelvic floor dysfunction can result after treatment for gynecological cancers.[9]

Damage to the pelvic floor not only contributes to urinary incontinence but can lead to pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs in women when pelvic organs (e.g. the vagina, bladder, rectum, or uterus) protrude into or outside of the vagina. The causes of pelvic organ prolapse are not unlike those that also contribute to urinary incontinence. These include inappropriate (asymmetrical, excessive, insufficient) muscle tone and asymmetries caused by trauma to the pelvis. Age, pregnancy, family history, and hormonal status all contribute to the development of pelvic organ prolapse. The vagina is suspended by attachments to the perineum, pelvic side wall and sacrum via attachments that include collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle. Surgery can be performed to repair pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened with Kegel exercises.[10]

Disorders of the posterior pelvic floor include rectal prolapse, rectocele, perineal hernia, and a number of functional disorders including anismus. Constipation due to any of these disorders is called "functional constipation" and is identifiable by clinical diagnostic criteria.[11]

Different positions to perform pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercise (PFE), also known as

radical prostatectomy. With the removal of the prostate, many males experience urinary incontinence post operation; pelvic floor exercises may be used to counteract this pre and post operation. Pre-operative pelvic floor exercising significantly decreases the prevalence of urinary incontinence post radical prostatectomy. [15] Prostatitis and prostatectomies are two contributors to erectile dysfunction; following a radical prostatectomy studies show that erectile dysfunction is improved by pelvic floor muscle training under the supervision of physical therapists certified in pelvic floor rehabilitation .[16]

Perineology or pelviperineology is a specialty dealing with the functional troubles of the three axes (urological, gynecological and coloproctological) of the pelvic floor.[17]

Additional images

  • The pelvic floor muscles span the bottom of the pelvis. This image shows the left levator ani from within.
    The pelvic floor muscles span the bottom of the pelvis. This image shows the left levator ani from within.

See also

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 420 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. PMID 29489277
    . Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  2. S2CID 235492234
    .
  3. PMID 34575049
    .
  4. ^ "Pelvic Floor Muscles: Anatomy, Function & Conditions". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-81-312-2556-1
    .
  6. ISBN 978-0-443-06612-2
    .
  7. PMID 16985905
    .
  8. ^ "Cystocele (Prolapsed Bladder) | NIDDK". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  9. PMID 28929201
    .
  10. ^
    PMID 12806450
    .
  11. PMID 16720016
    .
  12. ^
    PMID 15971718
    .
  13. PMID 19578656
    .
  14. ^ a b "Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  15. PMID 37588123
    .
  16. PMID 32029399
    .
  17. S2CID 12964013
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pelvic_floor&oldid=1216720559"