Levator ani muscle (anatomy)
Levator ani is the main muscle of the pelvic floor. It forms a funnel-shaped diaphragm in the pelvis between the lateral hip walls, the pubis anteriorly and the coccyx posteriorly. It is traversed by different structures in each sex:
- males:
- urethra
- anal canal
- females:
- urethra
- vagina
- anal canal
Often, levator ani is considered as several separate muscle parts:
- pubovaginalis
- coccygeus
- iliococcygeus
- pubococcygeus
- puborectalis
However they have common features:
- origin: from a tendinous arch between the pubis and ischial spine on the internal surface of the pelvis
- insertion:
- perineal body
- external wall of anal canal
- anococcygeal ligament
- coccyx
Levator ani has a crucial role in the maintenance of continence.
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