Perineal body
Encyclopedia
The perineal body is a pyramidal fibromuscular mass in the middle line of the perineum
at the junction between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle . It is found in both males and females. In males, it is found between the bulb of penis
and the anus
; in females, is found between the vagina
and anus
, and about 1.25 cm in front of the latter.
The perineal body is essential for the integrity of the pelvic floor, particularly in females. Its rupture during delivery leads to widening of the gap between the anterior free borders of levator ani muscle of both sides, thus predisposing the woman to prolapse of the uterus
, rectum
, or even the urinary bladder
.
Perineum
In human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures...
at the junction between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle . It is found in both males and females. In males, it is found between the bulb of penis
Bulb of penis
Just before each crus of the penis meets its fellow it presents a slight enlargement, named by Kobelt the bulb of the corpus spongiosum penis.It is homologous to the vestibular bulbs in females....
and the anus
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
; in females, is found between the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
and anus
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
, and about 1.25 cm in front of the latter.
The perineal body is essential for the integrity of the pelvic floor, particularly in females. Its rupture during delivery leads to widening of the gap between the anterior free borders of levator ani muscle of both sides, thus predisposing the woman to prolapse of the uterus
Uterine prolapse
Uterine prolapse is a form of female genital prolapse Uterine prolapse is a form of female genital prolapse Uterine prolapse is a form of female genital prolapse (also called pelvic organ prolapse or prolapse of the uterus (womb).Treatment is surgical, and the options include hysterectomy or a...
, rectum
Rectocele
A rectocele results from a tear in the rectovaginal septum . Rectal tissue bulges through this tear and into the vagina as a hernia...
, or even the urinary bladder
Cystocele
A cystocele is a medical condition that occurs when the tough fibrous wall between a woman's bladder and her vagina is torn by childbirth, allowing the bladder to herniate into the vagina. Urethroceles often occur with cystoceles....
.
Attachments
At this point, the following muscles converge and are attached:- External anal sphincter muscle
- Bulbospongiosus muscleBulbospongiosus muscleBulbospongiosus is one of the superficial muscles of the perineum. It has a slightly different origin, insertion and function in males and females. In males, it covers the bulb of the penis...
- Superficial transverse perineal muscle
- Anterior fibers of the levator aniLevator aniThe levator ani is a broad, thin muscle, situated on the side of the pelvis.It is attached to the inner surface of the side of the lesser pelvis, and unites with its fellow of the opposite side to form the greater part of the floor of the pelvic cavity....
- fibers from external urinary sphincterExternal sphincter muscle of urethraExternal sphincter muscle of urethra can refer to:* external sphincter muscle of male urethra* external sphincter muscle of female urethra...
- Deep transverse perineal muscle