Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor

What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a fascial and muscular sheet forming the interior boundary of the abdominopelvic cavity

The main muscular components are puborectalis, pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus and ischiococcygeus – collectively named the levator ani.  It is a voluntary muscle supplied by the pudendal nerve which engages from the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th scaral foramina. It is a horizontal sheet with an anterior midline cleft through which the urethra, vagina and rectum pass.

Where is the Pelvic Floor located?

It is attached to the inner surface of one side of the lesser pelvis and unites in the midline with the opposite side, forming the greater part of the floor of the pelvic cavity.

The fascia within and covering the levator ani is the pelvic fascia.

The endopelvic fascia is the connective tissue that supports the urethra, bladder, vagina and rectum. The fascia contains dense bonds of connective tissue, termed ligaments, which sling the pelvic viscera to the pelvic side walls.

A thick fascial band on either side of the pelvis spanning from the ischial spine to the pubis, the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (AFTP) provides attachment to both the endopelvic fascia and iliococcygeus.

What is the anatomy of the Pelvic Floor?

The fascia and ligaments are made up of collagen and fibres interlaced with elastin, smooth muscle cells, fibroblast and vascular structures.

The fascia and ligaments act like a cradle of support to the pelvic organs and limit their downward movement during rises in the intra-abdominal pressure but alone are not able to provide continual support.

Co-ordinated action of the levator ani muscle in the presence of the intact fascia and nerve control, maintains pelvic organ support.

How can I engage the Pelvic Floor muscles?

• Emsella Chair

The Emsella Chair uses electromagnetic energy to cause deep pelvic floor muscle stimulation without getting undressed! 

• Pelvic floor exercises

Simple Kegel exercises can help tighten and tone the pelvic floor muscles. You can find out how to do these with our pelvic floor exercise guide.

• Pelvic floor exercises with a device

Special devices such as Kegel balls can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

• Physiotherapy

“For anyone with poor pelvic core control, I would normally recommend early stage Pilates exercises to start implementing control of the pelvic core with movement.

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