Muscles / Core
Levator ani
- Core
- Pelvic floor
- Deep layer
Also called pelvic diaphragm.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Body of the pubis, tendinous arch of the obturator fascia, ischial spine
- Insertion
- Perineal body, coccyx, anococcygeal body, walls of the prostate or vagina, rectum and anal canal
- Nerve
- Nerve to levator ani (branches of S4), inferior anal (rectal) nerve and coccygeal plexus (S3-S4)
Actions
- Supports the pelvic viscera
- Resists increases in intra-abdominal pressure
- Contributes to urinary and fecal continence
Parts
Notes
- Pelvic floor muscle training is first-line treatment for stress urinary incontinence in women.
References (5)
- Dumoulin C, Cacciari LP, Hay-Smith EJC. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;10:CD005654. Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e