Anatomy and Physiology of the Pelvic Floor

The functional anatomy of the pelvic floor is based on a triple system of suspensor ligaments, cohesive fascia and muscle support. The integrity of these systems is essential if a normal anatomic and functional pelvi-perineal equilibrium is to be maintained. The levator ani is the principal muscle of the pelvic floor. It is made up mainly of the ileococcygeus muscle, that forms the levator plate, and the pubovisceral (or pubococcygeus) muscle which shares connective tract with adjacent organs and is divided into 2 bundles, the pubovaginal bundle and the puborectal bundle that is key to maintaining the pelvi-perineal functional equilibrium.