Pelvic floor

The pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is formed by the soft tissues that fill the outlet of the pelvis. It forms a strong diaphragm of muscle sling from the walls of the pelvis. The pelvic floor is made up of

·              The  Skin

·              Subcutaneous Fat

·              Superficial Muscles

·              Deep Muscles

·              Pelvic Fascia

·              Peritoneum

The urethra, vagina and the anal canal pierce through it

Functions:

·              Supports the weight of the abdominal and pelvic organs

·              Responsible for the function of the menstruation and defecation and plays an important part in sexual intercourse

·              Influence passive movement of the fetus during childbirth

Muscle Layers

Superficial Layers consists of five muscles:

1.           The external and sphincter muscle

2.           The transverse perineal muscle

3.           The bulbocavernous muscle

4.           The ichiocavernous muscle

5.           The membrane sphincter of urethra

The Deep Layer is composed of three parts of muscle whichtogether are known as the Levator Ani Muscles (left and right):

1.           Pubococcygeal muscle

2.           Iliococcygeal muscle

3.           Ischiococcygeal muscle

Perineal body

Perineal body is a pyramid of muscles and fibrous tissuebetween vagina and rectum. Perineal body measures 4cm in each direction

Injury to the pelvic floor

·              Overstretching of the muscles

·              Laceration –1 ^st 2^nd&3^rd  degree tears