Pelvic Structures and Sacral Plexus

Question 0

What ligaments does the visceral portion of the pelvic fascia thicken to form?

Answer 0

• pubovesical ligament (females) or puboprostatic ligament (males)
• transverse or lateral cervical ligament (in females)
• uterosacral ligament (females) or sacrovesical ligament (males)

Question 1

Pelvic brim?

Answer 1

-divides false pelvis from true pelvis

Question 2

What is the function of the pelvic diaphragm and what constitutes it?

Answer 2

• support abdominal and pelvic viscera, resist intra-abdominal pressure, separate pelvic cavity from perineum
• levator ani, coccygeus muscles, and fasciae that cover upper and lower surfaces of the muscles

Question 3

What is the urogential hiatus?

Answer 3

-gap between the margins of levator ani that the urethra and vagina run through to perineum

Question 4

Levator ani

Answer 4

3 parts
-puborectalis
-pubococcygeus
-iliococcygeus
Innervation: all are ventral rami of S3 and S4 (sometimes contribution from S5)
Action: general: support pelvic viscera, resist intra-abdominal pressure, assist diaphragm and abdominal muscles when intra-abdominal pressure is required (childbirth, defecation, urination, etc.)

Question 5

Coccygeus

Answer 5

Innervation: Ventral rami of S3 and S4
Action: same as levator ani

Question 6

What are the branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery?

Answer 6

• superior vesicle a.
• obturator a.
• uterine a. (females)–gives off vaginal branch
• inferior vesicle a. (males)
• middle rectal a.
• internal pudendal a.
• inferior gluteal a.

Question 7

What are the branches of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery?

Answer 7

• iliolumbar a.
• lateral sacral a.
• superior gluteal a.