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I. Orientation of Pelvis

II. Osteology

III. Joints

IV. Ligaments

V. Pelvic Musculature

VI. Perineum

[WebLecture Slide 28 320x240 pixels]

WebLecture Slide 28

The muscles arising from within the pelvis form two groups. The first group, the lateral rotators, includes the obturator internus and piriformis muscles which have already been introduced. The second group includes the levator ani and coccygeus muscles which together from the pelvic diaphragm. The pelvic diaphragm is a thin, muscular sheet that separates the pelvis from the perineum. The term sheet is misleading however as the diaphragm is not a flat structure and is conveniently thought of as funnel shaped. This funnel fits into the pelvic cavity. Fascia that lines the superior and inferior surfaces of the muscles of levator ani fuse to form the tendinous arches that stretch from the pubic symphysis to the inferior margin of the ischial spine. Upon palpation, the tendinous arch feels much like a strong rubber band. The approximate location of the tendinous arches are shown here and in the following graphics. The coccygeus muscle complete the pelvic diaphragm closing the space from ischial spine to coccyx.

The pelvic diaphragm is made up of two muscles: levator ani muscle and coccygeus muscle. Although the naming of the various muscles within levator ani can vary from book to book, for the purposes of this introductory lecture, we consider the following three muscles to be named parts of levator ani: puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. Coccygeus then is not part of levator ani, but it is part of the pelvic diagphragm.
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