Pelvic Walls

Question 1

What are the subdivisions of the pelvis?

Answer 1

Two lateral walls, a posterior wall, and a floor

Question 2

The bony framework of the lateral wall is what part of the hip bone?

Answer 2

That which lies below the pelvic brim

Question 3

What two things primarily cover the lateral wall of the pelvis?

Answer 3

Obturator internus muscle and obturator fascia

Question 4

What makes up the bony framework of the posterior wall of the pelvis?

Answer 4

Sacrum and coccyx

Question 5

Is the posterior wall convex or concave anteriorly?

Answer 5

Concave

Question 6

What covers the lateral portion of the posterior wall of the pelvis?

Answer 6

Piriformis muscle and coccygeus (ischiococcygeus) muscle

Question 7

Why is the floor of the pelvis more important among humans than other mammals?

Answer 7

Because we walk upright

Question 8

What two things make up the pelvic floor?

Answer 8

Peritoneum (above) and pelvic diaphragm (below)

Question 9

What is the space located between the rectum and bladder called?

Answer 9

Rectovesical pouch

Question 10

What is the lowest point in the peritoneum of the male?

Answer 10

Rectovesical pouch

Question 11

What is the space located between the rectum and uterus?

Answer 11

Rectouterine pouch

Question 12

What is the space located between the bladder and uterus?

Answer 12

Vesicouterine pouch

Question 13

What is a less common but possible site for ectopic pregnancy of the pelvic wall area?

Answer 13

Rectouterine pouch

Question 14

Ascites and blood can pool in which downward reflections of the peritoneum?

Answer 14

Rectovesical or rectouterine pouch

Question 15

What is the major support structure for pelvic viscera?

Answer 15

Pelvic diaphragm

Question 16

The pelvic diaphragm consists of which muscles?

Answer 16

Coccygeus (ischiogoccygeus) and levator ani muscles

Question 17

What is the major constituent of the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 17

Levator ani muscle

Question 18

What is the opening of the pelvic diaphragm that transmits the urethra in males and both the urethra and vagina in females?

Answer 18

Urogenital hiatus

Question 19

What is the opening of the pelvic diaphragm that is found in both sexes?

Answer 19

Anal aperture

Question 20

What is the origin of the coccygeus muscle?

Answer 20

Ischial spine and sacrospinous ligament

Question 21

What is the insertion of the coccygeus muscle?

Answer 21

Coccyx and lower part of sacrum

Question 22

What is the nerve supply of the coccygeus muscle?

Answer 22

Anterior primary rami of 3rd and 4th sacral nerves

Question 23

What is the function of the coccygeus muscle?

Answer 23

Supports pelvic viscera, draws coccyx forward

Question 24

What is the origin of the levator ani muscle?

Answer 24

Body of pubis, tendinous arch, ischial spine

Question 25

What is the insertion of the levator ani muscle?

Answer 25

Coccyx and anococcygeal ligament

Question 26

What is the nerve supply of the levator ani muscle?

Answer 26

Anterior primary rami of 3rd and 4th sacral nerves, perineal branch of pudendal nerve

Question 27

What is the function of the levator ani muscle?

Answer 27

As a whole, supports pelvic viscera. Specialized parts of the levator ani perform other functions

Question 28

What is the shape of the levator ani muscle?

Answer 28

Funnel-shaped

Question 29

What are the three parts of the levator ani muscle?

Answer 29

Iliococcygeus, pubococcygeus, and puborectalis

Question 30

What is the most posterior part of levator ani?

Answer 30

Iliococcygeus

Question 31

What is the main part of levator ani?

Answer 31

Pubococcygeus

Question 32

What part of the levator ani is located around the urogenital hiatus?

Answer 32

Pubococcygeus

Question 33

What part of the pubococcygeus forms a sling around the urethra beneath the prostate in the male?

Answer 33

Puboprostaticus

Question 34

What part of the pubococcygeus forms a sling around the urethra and vagina in the female?

Answer 34

Pubovaginalis

Question 35

What part of the pubococcygeus attaches to the anorectal junction?

Answer 35

Puboanalis

Question 36

Which parts of the pubococcygeus function in micturition?

Answer 36

Puboprostaticus and pubovaginalis

Question 37

What is micturition?

Answer 37

"Bladder emptying"

Question 38

What is the most important muscle for maintaining fecal matter (other than the anal sphincter)?

Answer 38

Puborectalis

Question 39

Where is puborectalis located?

Answer 39

Behind the anorectal junction as a sling

Question 40

What is the function of puborectalis?

Answer 40

Maintains angle at the anorectal junction (perineal flexure)

Question 41

When is puborectalis relaxed?

Answer 41

During defecation

Question 42

What is an extra function of puborectalis?

Answer 42

Directs the fetal head forward during parturition

Question 43

What is the tendinous arch of levator ani?

Answer 43

Curved thickening of the obturator fascia which gives origin to parts of the pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus

Question 44

What can misaligment of the sacrum affect when it comes to the pelvis?

Answer 44

Urinary continence, bowel/fecal continence, parturition, and integrity of the pelvic floor