CoursesAnatomyPelvis and perineumMale pelvis and reproductive organsIntroduction to the male pelvic cavity

CoursesAnatomyPelvis and perineumMale pelvis and reproductive organsIntroduction to the male pelvic cavity

Introduction to the male pelvic cavity

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

Identify the major structures that form the walls and floor of the male pelvic cavity.
Recognize the major blood vessels that supply and drain the male pelvic cavity.
Name the various organs of the male pelvic cavity.
Understand the anatomical relations and functions of these organs.

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The pelvic cavity is a basin-shaped space formed by bony and musculoligamentous pelvic walls and floor. It contains several organs from the digestive, reproductive and urinary systems, some of which pass into the perineum. These include:

Terminal part of the sigmoid colon, which continues distally as the rectum,
A pair of seminal vesicles, ductus deferens and the prostate
Pelvic part of the ureters and urinary bladder.

The organs are surrounded by pelvic visceral fascia and have the parietal peritoneum of the abdominal cavity reflecting onto their superior surfaces, forming pouches in between adjacent organs. The pelvic floor is formed by the levator ani and coccygeus muscles (collectively known as the pelvic diaphragm) which separate the pelvic cavity above from the perineum below.

The male pelvic cavity is supplied by various branches of the internal iliac arteries, the superior [ano]rectal artery and the median sacral artery. The organs within the pelvic cavity are innervated by various visceral plexuses that carry both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers as well as visceral afferent fibers which generally carry pain sensation to the central nervous system.

This video will help you learn about the anatomy and contents of the male pelvic cavity.

Take a quiz

To broaden your understanding of this topic, try out this customizable quiz about the male pelvic cavity. You can customize this yourself to your preference.

Browse atlas

Browse our atlas gallery to further review the male pelvic organs you have covered so far.

Now that you have covered the male pelvic viscera, take a look at other key structures of the male pelvic cavity and their relations.

Summary

Key points about the male pelvic cavity
Walls and floors	Bones: Hip bone (ilium, ischium, pubis), sacrum, coccyx Ligaments: Sacroiliac, sacrospinous, and sacrotuberous Muscles: Levator ani, coccygeus, piriformis, obturator internus
Digestive organs	Organs: Sigmoid colon, rectum Functions: Absorption of minerals, vitamins, water and electrolytes, temporary storage of fecal matter and elimination during defecation
Reproductive organs	Organs: Prostate, seminal vesicles, ductus deferens Functions: Secretion of protein and nutrient rich fluid that contributes to volume of semen, transport of semen
Urinary organs	Organs: Pelvic part of ureter, urinary bladder Functions: Transport and elimination of urine from from the body
Peritoneal pouches	Rectovesical pouch (between the rectum and urinary bladder)
Blood supply	Internal iliac artery: Superior vesical arteries, inferior vesical artery, internal pudendal artery, middle [ano]rectal artery Superior [ano]rectal artery (from inferior mesenteric artery) Median sacral artery (from aortic bifurcation)
Innervation	Sympathetic: Lumbar splanchnic nerves, hypogastric and pelvic plexuses Parasympathetic: Pelvic splanchnic nerves, left and right inferior hypogastric plexuses, and rectal (pelvic) plexus

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