Perineal body

The perineal body (or central tendon of perineum) is a pyramidal fibromuscular mass in the middle line of the perineum at the junction between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle . It is found in both males and females. In males, it is found between the bulb of penis and the anus; in females, is found between the vagina and anus, and about 1.25 cm in front of the latter.

The perineal body is essential for the integrity of the pelvic floor, particularly in females. Its rupture during delivery leads to widening of the gap between the anterior free borders of levator ani muscle of both sides, thus predisposing the woman to prolapse of the uterus, rectum, or even the urinary bladder.

Attachments

At this point, the following muscles converge and are attached:

• External anal sphincter muscle
• Bulbospongiosus muscle
• Superficial transverse perineal muscle
• Anterior fibers of the levator ani
• fibers from external urinary sphincter
• Deep transverse perineal muscle

See also

• Central tendon of thoracic diaphragm

External links

• SUNY Labs 42:16-0201 - "The Male Perineum and the Penis: Muscles of the Superficial Perineal Pouch"

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.