Pelvis - Pelvic Floor Muscles

Question 1

Which structures constitute the pelvic floor?

Answer 1

Pelvic diaphragm, perineal membrane, deep perineal pouch

Question 2

1. 1. Name the muscles which make up the pelvic diaphragm

1. 2. Name the midline structure to which these muscles attach

Answer 2

1.1. Levator ani - consists of 3 sets of muscles:

Pubococcygeus - anterior fibres loop around the prostate in males (levator prostate) and in females (pubovaginalis)
Puborectalis - intermediate fibres - loops around anorectal junction and maintains anorectal angle
Iliococcygeus - posterior fibres

Coccygeus

1.2. Anococcygeal ligament (midline raphe)

Question 3

Which nerve(s) innervate the levator ani and coccygeus?

Answer 3

Levator ani - pudendal nerve (S2-4)

Coccygeus - anterior rami S4-5

Question 4

Which muscle is responsible for preserving urinary continence?

Answer 4

Pre-rectal fibres of puborectalis also known as pubovaginalis or phincter urethrae

Question 5

Which muscle is responsible for preserving urinary continence?

Answer 5

Pre-rectal fibres of puborectalis also known as pubovaginalis or phincter urethrae

Question 6

1.1. What is the anatomical relationship of the perineal membrane?

Answer 6

1.1. It is a thick fascial structure that lies deep to the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm

Urethral and vaginal orifice - free posterior border

Question 7

1. 1. What are the anatomical relationships of the deep perineal pouch?
2. 2. Name the structure(s) within the deep perineal pouch
3. 3. Which nerve(s) innervate the structures within the deep perineal pouch

Answer 7

1.1. Fascial capsule which lies superior to perineal membrane and inferior to pelvic diaphragm

1.2.
Females:
Deep transverse perineal muscle
External urethral sphincter
Compressor urethrae - anterior to urethra - aids in closing off the urethra
Sphincter urethrovaginalis muscle

Males:
Deel transverse perineal muscle
External urethral sphincter
Bulbourerhral glands (Cowper’s glands)

Question 8

1. 1. Name the fibrous structure(s) surrounding the testes
2. 2. Which structure are sperm cells secreted by?
3. 3. Which structure stores sperm cells?

Answer 8

1.1. 
Tunica vaginalis (parietal and visceral layer)
Tunica albuginea (inner sac) - septa divides testes into lobules

1. 2. Seminiferous tubules - straight tubules - rete testis - efferent ductules - epididymis
2. 3. Epididymis

Question 9

The vas deferens carries sperm cells from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.

1.1. Name the structure(s) lateral to the vas deferens and it’s function

Answer 9

1.1. Seminal vesicle - produces seminal fluid responsible for 60-70% total volume of semen consisting of proteins, amino acids, fructose

Question 10

Name the 3 accessory gland of the male reproductive system?

Answer 10

Prostate gland, seminal vesicle and bulbourethral glands

Question 11

Name the divisions of the male urethra

Answer 11

Preprostatic

Prostatic

Membranous - passes through the deep perineal pouch and surrounded by the external urethral sphincter

Spongy - surrounded by the corpus spongeosum (erectile tissue of the penis)

Question 12

The ejaculatory ducts open into which structure?

Answer 12

Urethral crest within the prostatic urethra - has 3 openings:
Prostatic utricle
Ejaculatory duct openings