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Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
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  9. Muscles of the Pelvis and Perineum

Muscles of the Pelvis and Perineum

MuscleOriginInsertionActionInnervationArteryNotes
anal sphincter, externalperineal body or central tendinous point of the perineumencircles the anal canal; superficial fibers attach to the coccyxconstricts the anal canalinferior rectal nerves (from the pudendal nerve)inferior rectal a.skeletal (voluntary) muscle, as contrasted with sphincter ani internus, which is smooth (involuntary) muscle; the external anal sphincter is considered part of the pelvic diaphragm
anal sphincter, internalencircles the anal canalencircles the anal canalconstricts the anal canalparasympathetic fibers from S4middle rectal a.smooth muscle (involuntary), as contrasted with sphincter ani externus, which is skeletal muscle (voluntary)
bulbospongiosus, in femaleperineal body and fascia of the bulb of the vestibuleperineal membrane and corpus cavernosum of the clitoriscompresses the vestibular bulb and constricts the vaginal orificedeep branch of the perineal nerve (from pudendal nerve)perineal a.skeletal muscle
bulbospongiosus, in malecentral tendinous point and the midline raphe on the bulb of the penisperineal membrane, dorsal surface of the corpus spongiosum, deep penile fasciacompresses the bulb of the penis, compresses the spongy urethradeep branch of the perineal nerve (from pudendal nerve)perineal a.expels the last drops of urine from urethra; expels semen during ejaculation
coccygeusischial spineside of the coccyx and lower sacrumelevates the pelvic floorbranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4inferior gluteal a.coccygeus and levator ani combined form the pelvic diaphragm
deep transverse perineusmedial surface of the ischial ramuscontralateral muscle and perineal body/central tendinous pointfixes and stabilizes the perineal body/central tendinous pointdeep branch of perineal nerve from pudendal nerveinternal pudendal a.superficial and deep transverse perineus muscles are separated by the perineal membrane
detruser of bladdersmooth muscle in the wall of the urinary bladderfascicles are arranged roughly in three layerscompresses the urinary bladderparasympathetic nerve fibers from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4 spinal cord levels)superior and inferior vesical aa.muscles in the neck of bladder must contract and cause the internal urethral orifice to open before the detruser muscle can void the bladder
iliococcygeusarcus tendineus levator ani and the ischial spineanococcygeal raphe and the coccyxelevates the pelvic floorbranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4inferior gluteal a.the combination of puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus is called the levator ani m.
ischiocavernosusmedial surface of the ischial tuberosity and the ischiopubic ramuscorpus cavernosum and crus of the penis/clitoriscompresses the corpus cavernosumdeep branch of the perineal nerve (from pudendal nerve)perineal a.ischiocavernosus m. is closely applied to the surface of the crus penis/clitoris
levator aniposterior surface of the body of the pubis, fascia of the obturator internus m. (arcus tendineus levator ani), ischial spineanococcygeal raphe and coccyxelevates the pelvic floorbranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4 inferior gluteal a.the combination of puborectalis, pubococcygeus & iliococcygeus is the levator ani m.; coccygeus and levator ani combined form the pelvic diaphragm
levator prostataeposterior aspect of the pubisfascia of the prostateelevates the prostatebranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4 inferior gluteal a.levator prostatae is part of the puborectalis m.
obturator internusthe internal surface of the obturator membrane and margin of the obturator foramen greater trochanter on its medial surface above the trochanteric fossalaterally rotates and abducts the thighnerve to the obturator internus m.obturator a.the obturator internus m. leaves the pelvis by passing through the lesser sciatic foramen; the superior and inferior gemellus mm. insert on the obturator internus tendon
piriformisanterior surface of sacrumupper border of greater trochanter of femurlaterally rotates and abducts thighventral rami of S1-S2 piriformis leaves the pelvis by passing through the greater sciatic foramen
pubococcygeusposterior aspect of the superior pubic ramiscoccyxelevates the pelvic floorbranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4 inferior gluteal a.the combination of puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus is called the levator ani m.
puborectalisposterior aspect of the body of the pubisunites with the puborectalis m. of other side posterior to the rectumdraws the distal rectum forward and superiorly; aids in voluntary retention of fecesbranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4 inferior gluteal a.the combination of puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus is called the levator ani m.
pubovaginalisposterior aspect of the body of the pubisfascia of the vagina and perineal bodydraws the vagina forward and superiorlybranches of the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves S3-S4 inferior gluteal a.pubovaginalis is part of the levator ani muscle
sphincter ani externusperineal body or central tendinous point of the perineumencircles the anal canal; superficial fibers attach to the coccyxconstricts the anal canalinferior rectal nerves (from the pudendal nerve)inferior rectal a.skeletal (voluntary) muscle, as contrasted with sphincter ani internus, which is smooth (involuntary) muscle; the external anal sphincter is considered part of the pelvic diaphragm
sphincter ani internusencircles the anal canalencircles the anal canalconstricts the anal canalparasympathetic fibers from S4middle rectal a.smooth muscle (involuntary), as contrasted with sphincter ani externus, which is skeletal muscle (voluntary)
sphincter urethrae, in femaleencircles the urethraencircles urethra and vagina; extends superiorly along the urethra as far as the inferior surface of the bladdercompresses urethra and vaginadeep branch of perineal nerve from pudendal nerveinternal pudendal a.skeletal muscle
sphincter urethrae, in maleencircles the urethraencircles urethra, reaches lateral surface of prostate and inferior bladdercompresses urethradeep branch of perineal nerve from pudendal nerveinternal pudendal a.skeletal muscle
superficial transverse perineusmedial surface of the ischial ramuscontralateral muscle and the perineal body/central tendinous pointfixes and stabilizes perineal body/central tendinous pointdeep branch of perineal nerve from pudendal nerveperineal a.superficial and deep transverse perineus muscles are separated by the perineal membrane
transverse perineus, deepmedial surface of the ischial ramuscontralateral muscle and perineal body/central tendinous pointfixes and stabilizes the perineal body/central tendinous pointdeep branch of perineal nerve from pudendal nerveinternal pudendal a.superficial and deep transverse perineus muscles are separated by the perineal membrane
transverse perineus, superficialmedial surface of the ischial ramuscontralateral muscle and the perineal body/central tendinous pointfixes and stabilizes perineal body/central tendinous pointdeep branch of perineal nerve from pudendal nerveperineal a.superficial and deep transverse perineus muscles are separated by the perineal membrane
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