CoursesAnatomyPelvis and perineumPerineumFemale perineum

CoursesAnatomyPelvis and perineumPerineumFemale perineum

Female perineum

Learning objectives

After completing study unit you will be able to:

Locate and identify the borders of the female perineum.
Describe the main components and borders of the anal triangle.
Describe the main components and borders of the urogenital triangle.
Identify the external features and surface anatomy of the urogenital triangle.

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The perineum is a diamond shaped compartment which sits just beneath the pelvic cavity, forming the lowest portion of the trunk in the human body.

The female perineum is bounded superiorly (internally) by the pelvic diaphragm and inferiorly (externally) by the perineal skin and fascia. It is occupied by muscles, erectile and cavernous tissues which facilitate excretion, egestion and reproduction. A transverse line, known as the interischial line, stretches between the two ischial tuberosities dividing the perineum into two regions: the anal and urogenital triangles.

The urogenital triangle, which is located anteriorly, is further subdivided by the perineal membrane into the superficial and deep perineal space. The female urogenital triangle contains the muscles, fasciae, erectile tissues and spaces associated with the female urogenital system. It also functions as an anchoring point for the external female genitalia.
The anal triangle, located posteriorly, houses the anal canal and the internal and external anal sphincters. These are all surrounded by a fat-filled space known as the ischioanal fossa.

Find out more about the divisions, boundaries, muscles and viscera of the female perineum by watching the video below!

Check out the video below if you want to continue your learning on the neurovasculature of the female perineum.

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Browse atlas

It can be hard to wrap your head around the location and structure of the perineum, but not to worry because now you can explore the features of the perineum from three different perspectives in the galleries below!

Now let’s take a look at some of the internal features of the female perineum from a coronal view of the anal and urogenital triangles.

Finally, let's take a look at a sagittal view of the female perineum.

Summary

Key points about the female perineum
Borders	Internal (Roof): Pelvic diaphragm (levator ani and coccygeus muscles) External (Floor): Fascia and skin Anterior: Pubic symphysis Posterior: Sacrum and coccyx Anterolateral: Ischiopubic rami Posterolateral: Sacrotuberous ligaments
Divisions	1. Urogenital triangle (deep perineal space and superficial perineal space) 2. Anal triangle Divided by: Interischial line Structures between triangles: Perineal body and perineal raphe

Key points about the urogenital triangle
Boundaries	Superiorly: Pelvic diaphragm (levator ani and coccygeus muscles) Inferiorly: Fascia and skin Anteriorly: Pubic symphysis Posteriorly: Interischial line Laterally: Ischiopubic rami and ischial tuberosities
Divisions	Deep perineal space and superficial perineal space
Layers and contents	From deep to superficial Inferior fascia of pelvic diaphragm Deep perineal space: deep transverse perineal muscle, compressor urethrae muscle, sphincter urethrovaginalis muscle, external urethral sphincter, parts of urethra and vagina and anterior recess of the ischioanal fossa Perineal membrane Superficial perineal space: crus of clitoris, ischiocavernosus muscle, bulb of vestibule, bulbospongiosus muscle Fascia: Perineal fascia and subcutaneous tissue of perineum
Surface anatomy	Mons pubis, labium majus of vulva, anterior labial commissure, posterior labial commissure, cleft of vulva, labium minus of vulva, glans of clitoris, vestibule of vagina (external urethral orifice, opening of para-urethral glands and vaginal orifice)

Key points about the anal triangle
Boundaries	Superiorly: Pelvic diaphragm (levator ani and coccygeus muscles) Inferiorly: Fascia and skin Anteriorly: Interischial line Posteriorly: Coccyx and sacrum Laterally: Sacrotuberous ligament and ischial tuberosities
Contents	External anal sphincter, internal anal sphincter, anal canal, anal aperture, anococcygeal ligament and ischioanal fossa

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