Pelvic floor

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellnesspedia

Pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is a complex structure in the human body that provides support for the pelvic organs and plays a crucial role in the function of the urinary, bowel, and sexual systems. It is made up of layers of muscle and other tissues that stretch from the pubic bone at the front of the body to the base of the spine at the back.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The pelvic floor is composed of several muscles and connective tissues, including the levator ani, the coccygeus muscle, and the fascia. These structures form a hammock-like floor that supports the bladder, uterus (in women), prostate (in men), and rectum. The pelvic floor also contains several openings for the urethra, vagina (in women), and anus.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the pelvic floor is to support the pelvic organs and to help maintain continence. The muscles of the pelvic floor contract and relax to control the passage of urine and feces. They also play a role in sexual function, with the ability to contract during orgasm in both men and women.

Disorders[edit | edit source]

Disorders of the pelvic floor can lead to a variety of symptoms, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. These conditions can be caused by a number of factors, including childbirth, aging, obesity, and certain medical procedures. Treatment options for pelvic floor disorders can include physical therapy, medication, and surgery.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Pelvic floor Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD