Pelvic Floor Muscles Anatomy Radiology

The levator ani muscle also known as the muscular pelvic diaphragm is the musculotendinous sheet that forms the majority of the pelvic floor supports the pelvic viscera and aids in urinary and fecal evacuation as well as maintaining continence.

Pelvic floor muscles anatomy radiology.

The pelvic floor is a funnel shaped structure. This mri male pelvis axial cross sectional anatomy tool is absolutely free to use. This article provides an overview of normal anatomy of the pelvic floor as seen on magnetic resonance imaging ultrasound and fluoroscopic studies performed in. Pelvic floor imaging is an important part of both gastrointestinal and functional urology urogynaecological departments.

Knowledge of normal pelvic floor anatomy can aid the radiologist in understanding the complex nature of pelvic floor dysfunction and is important for comprehensive image interpretation. The pelvic floor is a complex integrated multilayered anatomic and functional unit that provides active and passive support. It is a basin shaped muscular diaphragm that helps to support the visceral contents of the pelvis. The pelvic floor is primarily made up of thick skeletal muscles along with nearby ligaments and their investing fascia.

It closes and controls the pelvic outlet providing both static support to visceral organs opposing gravity and increased abdominal pressures and active closure of the urogenital hiatus permitting the emptying and. The main focus of this article will be the pelvic floor muscles on that topic there are several important questions that need to be answered. The authors review the pelvic floor anatomy describe the mr imaging protocol used in their institutions survey common mr imaging findings in the presence of pelvic floor weakness and highlight key details that radiologists should provide surgeons to ensure effective treatment and improved outcomes. Symptoms such as obstructive defecation incontinence and sphincter complex disorders have a significant impact on patient lifestyle and physical mental well being 1 2.

In order to allow for urination and defecation there are a few gaps in the pelvic floor. The spatial relationship of the organs and the pelvic floor are important. Pelvic support is a combination of constriction suspension and structural geometry. Imaging studies include colonic transit to assess bowel motility.

The lower end of the pelvic floor is held closed by the pelvic floor muscles preventing prolapse by constricting the base. Normal and pathologic anatomy at mr imaging. It attaches to the walls of the lesser pelvis separating the pelvic cavity from the perineum inferiorly region which includes the genitalia and anus.