The Pelvic Floor Flashcards
what are four functions of the pelvic floor?
support the pelvic organs
maintain continence (urinary and anal)
sexual intercourse
relaxes to allow exit of fetus from pelvis
what are the six layers of tissue which form the pelvic floor?
perioteneum pelvic fascia (pelvic ligaments) deep muscle layer superficial muscle layer subcutaneous fat skin
blood supply for the pelvic floor comes from:
internal iliac arteries
lymph from the pelvic floor drains into:
common and internal iliac nodes
nerve supply for the pelvic floor comes from:
branches if pudendal nerve
what three muscles form the deep muscle layer of the pelvic floor?
pubococcygeus
iliococcygeus
ischiococcygeus
what four muscles form the superficial muscle layer of the pelvic floor?
ischiocavernosus
bulbospongiosus
transverse perineal muscle
external anal sphincter
define the perineal body:
pyramid of muscle and fibrous tissue between vagina and anus
central point where deep and superficial muscles unite
what traumas may occur within the pelvic floor?
labial tears and grazes
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th degree tears
episiotomy
what tissues may be injured with a 1st degree tear?
skin of fourchette
subcutaneous tissue
vaginal mucosa
what tissues may be injured with a 2nd degree tear?
fourchette
transverse perineal
bulbospongiosus
what tissues may be injured with a 3rd degree tear?
partial or complete disruption of the anal sphincter muscles
new classification of 3rd degree tears:
3a = less than 50% of external anal sphincter involved 3b = more than 50% of external anal sphincter involved 3c = internal anal sphincter involved
tissues damaged with a 4th degree tear:
involves anal sphincter and a breach of the rectal mucosa
an episiotomy is a deliberate surgical incision through ? muscles to enlarge the vulval outlet:
through the perineal muscles
