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.