The Pelvic Floor

Question 1

The pelvic inlet is also known as…

Answer 1

…the superior pelvic aperture

Question 2

The pelvic outlet is also known as…

Answer 2

…the inferior pelvic aperture

Question 3

The anterior pelvic wall is formed by…

Answer 3

…the bodies and rami of the pubic bones and the pubic symphysis

Question 4

The lateral pelvic wall is formed by…

Answer 4

…the hip bones and the obturator internus muscles

Question 5

Origin and insertion of obturator internus

Answer 5

O: Proximal surface of the ilium and ischium; Obturator membrane

I: Greater trochanter of the femur

Question 6

The posterior pelvic wall is formed by…

Answer 6

…the sacrum and coccyx

• adjacent parts of the ilia
• the sacroiliac joints

Question 7

The posterior wall of the pelvis is covered by…

Answer 7

The piriformis

Question 8

Origin of piriformis

Answer 8

• Pelvic surface of 2nd and 4th sacral segments

- Superior margin of the greater sciatic notch and sacrotuberous ligament

Question 9

The pelvic floor is formed by…

Answer 9

…the funnel shaped pelvic diaphragm

Question 10

The pelvic diaphragm is made up of which muscles?

Answer 10

The levator ani and coccygeus muscles and their fascia

Question 11

The pelvic floor stretches between…

Answer 11

…the pubis anteriorly

• the coccyx posteriorly
• from one lateral pelvic wall to the other

Question 12

The inferior border of the true pelvis is…

Answer 12

…the inferior border

Question 13

The superior border of the true pelvis is…

Answer 13

The pelvic brim

Question 14

What is the superior border of the perineum?

Answer 14

The pelvic floor

Question 15

The levator ani muscle is composed of…

Answer 15

3 parts:

• Puborectalis muscle
• Pubococcygeus muscle
• Iliococcygeus muscle

Question 16

The right and left levator ani lie…

Answer 16

…almost horizontally in the floor of the pelvis

Question 17

The right and left levator ani are separated by…

Answer 17

…a narrow gap that transmits the urethra, vagina, and anal canal

Question 18

Direction of pubococcygeus

Answer 18

from the body of the pubis toward the coccyx.

Question 19

The main part of the levator ani is…

Answer 19

Pubococcygeus

Question 20

Some fibres of pubococcygeus are inserted into…

Answer 20

… the prostate, urethra, and vagina.

Question 21

The right and left puborectalis unite where to form what?

Answer 21

…behind the anorectal junction to form a muscular sling

Question 22

The puborectalis may be regarded as a part of the sphincter ani externus. True or false?

Answer 22

True

Question 23

The most posterior part of the levator ani is…

Answer 23

Iliococcygeus

Question 24

Coccygeus is situated…

●Frequently tendinous as much as muscular

●Extends from the ischial spine to the lateral margin of the sacrum and coccyx.

Answer 24

… behind the levator ani

Question 25

Coccygeus extends from...

Answer 25

...the ischial spine to the lateral margin of the sacrum and coccyx.

Question 26

The pelvic floor muscles oppose gravity and increased abdominal pressures. True or false?

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Functions of the pelvic floor muscles

Answer 27

- Support for pelvic visceral organs - Maintenance of continence through sphincter action on rectum and vagina - Increasing intra-abdominal pressure during defecation, micturition and parturition

Question 28

Effects of pelvic floor dysfunction

Answer 28

``` Cystocele (bladder) Rectocele Uterine prolapse Enterocele (small intestine) Vault prolapse ```

Question 29

Pelvic floor weakness is associated with damage to...

Answer 29

pubococcygeus muscle

Question 30

Large diameter slow twitch type I fibers predominantly and fast twitch type II fibers are present in...

Answer 30

Pubococcygeus muscle

Question 31

Uterine prolapse is caused by...

Answer 31

Laxity of uterosacral ligaments