Pelvic floor

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Female pelvic muscles

Male pelvic muscles

The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is an anatomical location in the human body<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> which has an important role in urinary and anal continence, sexual function, and support of the pelvic organs.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The pelvic floor includes muscles, both skeletal and smooth, ligaments, and fascia<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and separates between the pelvic cavity from above, and the perineum from below.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is formed by the levator ani muscle and coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The pelvic floor has two hiatuses (gaps): (anteriorly) the urogenital hiatus through which urethra and vagina pass, and (posteriorly) the rectal hiatus through which the anal canal passes.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

StructureEdit

DefinitionEdit

Some sources do not consider "pelvic floor" and "pelvic diaphragm" to be identical, with the "diaphragm" consisting of only the levator ani and coccygeus, while the "floor" also includes the perineal membrane and deep perineal pouch.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, other sources include the fascia as part of the diaphragm.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

RelationsEdit

The pelvic cavity of the true pelvis has the pelvic floor as its inferior boundary (and the pelvic brim as its superior boundary). The perineum has the pelvic floor as its superior boundary.<ref name=":1" />

Posteriorly, the pelvic floor extends into the anal triangle.Template:Citation needed

FunctionEdit

It is important in providing support for pelvic viscera (organs), e.g. the bladder, intestines, the uterus (in females), and in maintenance of continence as part of the urinary and anal sphincters. It facilitates birth by resisting the descent of the presenting part, causing the fetus to rotate forwards to navigate through the pelvic girdle. It helps maintain optimal intra-abdominal pressure.<ref name=":0" />

Clinical significanceEdit

File:1116 Muscle of the Female Perineum.png

The female pelvic floor

File:1116 Muscle of the Male Perineum.png

The male pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is subject to clinically relevant changes that can result in:

Anterior vaginal wall prolapse
- Cystocele (bladder into vagina)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Urethrocele (urethra into vagina)
- Cystourethrocele (both bladder and urethra)
Posterior vaginal wall prolapse
- Enterocele (small intestine into vagina)
- Rectocele (rectum into vagina)
Apical vaginal prolapse
- Uterine prolapse (uterus into vagina)
- Vaginal vault prolapse (roof of vagina) - after hysterectomy

Pelvic floor dysfunction can result after treatment for gynecological cancers.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Damage to the pelvic floor not only contributes to urinary incontinence but can lead to pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs in women when pelvic organs (e.g. the vagina, bladder, rectum, or uterus) protrude into or outside of the vagina. The causes of pelvic organ prolapse are not unlike those that also contribute to urinary incontinence. These include inappropriate (asymmetrical, excessive, insufficient) muscle tone and asymmetries caused by trauma to the pelvis. Age, pregnancy, family history, and hormonal status all contribute to the development of pelvic organ prolapse. The vagina is suspended by attachments to the perineum, pelvic side wall and sacrum via attachments that include collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle. Surgery can be performed to repair pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened with Kegel exercises.<ref name=pmid12806450 />

Disorders of the posterior pelvic floor include rectal prolapse, rectocele, perineal hernia, and a number of functional disorders including anismus. Constipation due to any of these disorders is called "functional constipation" and is identifiable by clinical diagnostic criteria.<ref name="pmid16720016">Template:Cite journal</ref>

File:Bowel and bladder control postitions.png

Different positions to perform pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercise (PFE), also known as Kegel exercises, may improve the tone and function of the pelvic floor muscles, which is of particular benefit for women (and less commonly men) who experience stress urinary incontinence.<ref name="pmid15971718">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="pmid12806450">Template:Cite journal</ref> However, compliance with PFE programs often is poor,<ref name="pmid15971718"/> PFE generally is ineffective for urinary incontinence unless performed with biofeedback and trained supervision,<ref name="pmid12806450"/> and in severe cases it may have no benefit. Pelvic floor muscle tone may be estimated using a perineometer, which measures the pressure within the vagina.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Medication may also be used to improve continence.<ref name="my.clevelandclinic.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In severe cases, surgery may be used to repair or even to reconstruct the pelvic floor.<ref name="my.clevelandclinic.org"/> One surgery which interrupts pelvic floor musculature in males is a radical prostatectomy. With the removal of the prostate, many males experience urinary incontinence post operation; pelvic floor exercises may be used to counteract this pre and post operation. Pre-operative pelvic floor exercising significantly decreases the prevalence of urinary incontinence post radical prostatectomy. <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Prostatitis and prostatectomies are two contributors to erectile dysfunction; following a radical prostatectomy studies show that erectile dysfunction is improved by pelvic floor muscle training under the supervision of physical therapists certified in pelvic floor rehabilitation .<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Perineology or pelviperineology is a specialty dealing with the functional troubles of the three axes (urological, gynecological and coloproctological) of the pelvic floor.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>