What is the Pelvic Floor?

In simple terms, the pelvic floor is described as a large hammock of muscles stretching from front to back and side to side across the floor of the pelvis. It is attached to your pubic bone in front, the tail bone or coccyx at the back and the ischial tuberosities or 'sit bones' to the sides.

But it isn't that simple at all! Along with the muscles there is fascial or elastic tissue, ligaments and nerves.

It is also often misunderstood as just being the 'PC' or pubococcygeus muscle. This also is not true, there are many muscles that make up your pelvic floor and each plays an important role.

In more detailed and correct terms, the pelvic floor is a group of muscles, fascial tissues, ligaments and nerves and is divided in two main layers.

The muscles of the pelvic floor

The outer, superficial, layer is made up of :

ischiocavernosus , bulbocavernosus
transverse perineal
external anal sphincter

This layer is sometimes called the sphincters or closing muscles as they surround the openings in the pelvic floor and work to close the anus, vagina (in females) and urethra.

The deeper layer is known collectively as Levator Ani or the Pubovisceral muscles and is made up of:

ileococcygeus
pubococcygeus
puborectalis

This layer is the lifting layer. The name 'levator ani' translates to 'lift the anus' and this is exactly what you should feel as if you are doing when you contract - lifting the anus towards the pubic bone.

So effecively, a pelvic floor contraction is a close and lift action.

Other muscles of the pelvic floor

Coccygeus : left and right at the back of the pelvis, attaching to the tailbone
obturator internus : left and right - on the sides or walls of the pelvis are also important muscles in the function of the pelvic floor complex.

The urethra, vagina (in females) and anus all pass through the pelvic floor via the hiatus - which is the opening or gap between the two sides of the levator ani which is like a horseshoe shape starting at the pubic bone at the front, travelling backwards to loop around the anus and come forwards again to attach on the pubic bone at the front on the other side. The bladder, uterus (in females) and bowel sit up above this hiatus and are supported there by ligaments, sheets of elastic tissue and of course the pelvic floor muscles.

What does the pelvic floor do?

Supports the pelvic organs within the pelvis - the bladder and bowel in men and women and additionally the uterus in women.
Supports your bladder neck and anus to help them stay closed to assist with continence especially under strain for example when you cough or lift something.
Works in co-ordination with the deep abdominal muscle ( transversus) the diaphragm (breathing muscle) and the multifidi in the spine to form your ‘core’ which collectively supports and stabilizes your spine, pelvis and pelvic organs.
Provides sexual response and orgasm during sexual activity and helps maintain an erection in both males and females - yes the clitoris becomes erect when aroused.

Want learn more?

If you would like to learn more detail of the pelvic floor watch this tutorial of the pelvic floor by Anatomy Zone and for further detail you can watch Part 2 here

The material presented here is intended as an information source only. The information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters presented herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of the advice of a health care provider. Pelvic Floor Exercise does not accept liability to any person for the information or advice provided , or for loss or damages incurred as a result of reliance upon the material contained herein.

March 4, 2022 | View: 1369 | Categories: General Information, The Pelvic Floor | By: Fiona Rogers

What is the Pelvic Floor?