Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Jigjiga University: Anatomy of Perineum
Jigjiga University: Anatomy of Perineum
Anatomy of perineum
1
Perineum
• The perineum is a diamond-shaped area bounded by the
pelvic outlet
• Extend from:
• The mons pubis anteriorly
• The medial surfaces of the thighs laterally, and
• The gluteal folds and superior end of the intergluteal
(natal) cleft posteriorly
• It is separated from the pelvic cavity by the pelvic
diaphragm.
Superficial surface of the urogenital triangle
Urogenital triangle
Urogenital triangle
Division of perineum
• A transverse line joining the anterior ends of the
ischial tuberosities divides the diamond-shaped
perineum into two triangles
– Anal triangle
• Lies posterior to this line
• Contains the anal canal, anus and ischioanal
fossa
– Urogenital triangle
• Anterior to this line
• Contains external genitalia
The root of the scrotum and penis in males
and the vulva of females
Boundaries of perineum
• Anteriorly- Pubic
symphysis
• Anterolaterally-
Ischiopubic ramus
• Laterally- Ischial
tuberosities
• Posterolaterally-
Sacrotuberous ligaments
• Posteriorly- Inferior
most sacrum and coccyx
• Inferior pelvic aperture (pelvic outlet) is closed
by:
– Urogenital diaphragm: anterior part
– Pelvic diaphragm: posterior part
7
Urogenital triangle
• The urogenital triangle is
bounded
• Anteriorly- by pubic arch
• Anterolaterally- by
ischiopubic ramus
• Laterally- by ischial
tuberosities
• Posteriorly- by transverse
line joining the ischial
tuberosities
Urogenital triangle
• Urogenital diaphragm
– Strong triangular membrane and thin sheet of
muscles stretching across the urogenital triangle from
the rami of the pubis and the ischium
– A small gap at the apex of the triangle, posterior to
the pubic symphysis, exists for passage of
• Deep dorsal vein and dorsal nerve of penis or
clitoris
9
• Perineal membrane
– Thick fibrous sheet that fills the urogenital triangle
– Covers the anterior part of the pelvic outlet
10
11
• Perineal membrane is pierced by
– Urethra
12
• Perineal body
– Irregular fibromuscular mass located in the median
plane between anal canal and perineal membrane
• Posterior to the vestibule of the vagina or bulb of the penis
and anterior to the anus and anal canal
15
Disruption of perineal body
• The perineal body is especially important structure in
women because its support of the pelvic viscera
• Stretching or tearing of the perineal body can occur
during childbirth.
• As a result, prolapse of pelvic viscera, including
– prolapse of the bladder (through the urethra) and
16
Episiotomy
• It is surgical incision of the perineum and
inferoposterior vaginal wall
• It is made to enlarge the vaginal orifice during vaginal
surgery and labor
• Prevent jagged tears of the perineal muscles
17
18
19
Fasciae and pouches of urogenital triangle
Perineal fascia
• Consists of superficial and deep layers
20
– Fatty layer
• In females
– makes up the substance of the labia majora and mons pubis
– continuous anteriorly and superiorly with the fatty layer
of subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen (Camper fascia)
• In males
– It is replaced in the penis and scrotum with smooth
(dartos) muscle
– Continuous between the penis or scrotum and the thighs
with the fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue of the
abdomen
• In both sexes, it is continuous posteriorly with the ischioanal
fat-pad in the anal region
21
• Membranous layer
– Attached posteriorly to the posterior margin of the
perineal membrane and the perineal body
– Laterally, it is attached to the fascia lata of the thigh
– In males
• Anteriorly, it is continuous with dartos fascia of the penis
and scrotum
• It is continuous with the membranous layer of subcutaneous
tissue of the abdomen (Scarpa fascia)
– In females
• Passes superior to the fatty layer forming the labia majora
and becomes continuous with the membranous layer of the
subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
22
2. Deep perineal fascia
– Intimately invests the ischiocavernosus,
bulbospongiosus, and superficial transverse perineal
muscles
– Attached laterally to the ischiopubic rami
– Anteriorly,
• It is fused to the suspensory ligament of the penis or the
clitoris and
• It is also continuous with the deep fascia covering the
external oblique muscle of the abdomen and the rectus
sheath
23
24
25
Superficial perineal pouch
• Potential space between the perineal fascia and the
perineal membrane.
• Bounded laterally by the ischiopubic rami
• In males, the superficial perineal pouch contains:
– Root (bulb and crura) of the penis and associated
muscles (ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus)
– Proximal (bulbous) part of the spongy urethra
– Superficial transverse perineal muscles
– Deep perineal branches of the internal pudendal
vessels and pudendal nerves
26
• In females, the superficial perineal pouch
contains:
– Clitoris and associated muscle (ischiocavernosus)
– Bulbs of the vestibule and the surrounding muscle
(bulbospongiosus)
– Greater vestibular glands
– Deep perineal branches of the internal pudendal
vessels and pudendal nerves
– Superficial transverse perineal muscles
27
28
Deep perineal pouch
• Boundaries
– Inferiorly: perineal membrane
– Superiorly: inferior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm
– Laterally: inferior portion of the obturator fascia
• Contents:
– In both sexes
• Part of urethra
• Inferior part of external urethral sphincter muscle
• Anterior extensions of the ischioanal fat pads
29
• In males
– Intermediate part of urethra
– Deep transverse perineal muscles
– Bulbourethral glands, embedded within the deep
perineal musculature
– Dorsal neurovascular structures of the penis
• In females
– Proximal part of urethra
– A mass of smooth muscle in the place of deep
transverse perineal muscles
– Dorsal neurovasculature of the clitoris
30
31
Anal triangle
Boundaries
• Posteriorly: Tip of coccyx
• Anteriorly: Line joining ischial tuberosities
• Posteriolaterally: Sacrotuberous ligament
• Contents
– Anal canal
– External anal sphincter
– Ischioanal fossae
32
33
Ischioanal fossae
• Located on each side of the anal canal between the skin of
the anal region and the pelvic diaphragm
• The apex of each fossa lies superiorly where the levator ani
muscle arises from the obturator fascia
34
35
• Each ischioanal fossa is bounded
– Laterally: by the ischium and the inferior part of the
obturator internus, covered with obturator fascia
– Medially: by the external anal sphincter, with a roof formed
by the levator ani
– Posteriorly: by the sacrotuberous ligament and gluteus
maximus
– Anteriorly: by the bodies of the pubic bones, inferior to the
origin of the puborectalis
• These parts of the fossae, extending into the UG triangle superior to
the perineal membrane known as the anterior recesses of the ischio-
anal fossae. 36
37
Contents
• It is filled mostly with fat
– These fat bodies support the anal canal but are readily
displaced to permit expansion of the anal canal during the
passage of feces
• The fat bodies are traversed by several neurovascular
structures
– They are branches of the internal pudendal vessels and the
pudendal nerve, lying enclosed in a fascial tunnel called the
pudendal canal
• Inferior anal/rectal vessels and nerves
• Two cutaneous nerves
– Perforating branch of S2 and S3
– Perineal branch of the S4 nerve
38
Pudendal canal (Alcock canal) & its neurovasculature
39
40
Pudendal canal & its neurovasculature cont…
• As the artery and nerve enter the canal, they give rise to
the inferior rectal artery and nerve.
– Which pass medially to supply the external anal sphincter and
perianal skin
• Toward the distal (anterior) end of the pudendal canal,
the artery and nerve both bifurcate, giving rise to
– Perineal nerve and artery: distributed mostly to the
superficial pouch
– Dorsal artery and nerve of the penis or clitoris: run
in the deep pouch
41
Pudendal canal & its neurovasculature cont…
42
43
Starvation and rectal prolapse
• The fat bodies of the ischioanal fossae, along
with the buccal fat pads, are among the last
reserves of fatty tissue to disappear with
starvation
• In the absence of the support provided by the
ischioanal fat, rectal prolapse is relatively
common.
44
Ischioanal Abscesses
• The ischioanal fossae are occasionally the sites
of infection, which may result in the formation of
ischioanal abscesses
• These collections of pus are quite painful
• A perianal abscess may rupture spontaneously
and fistula is formed
– Opening internally into the anal canal, rectum, or
externally onto perianal skin
45
46
Anal canal
• Terminal part of the large intestine that extends from the
superior aspect of the pelvic diaphragm to the anus
• About 4 cm
• Begins where the rectal ampulla abruptly narrows at the
level of the U-shaped sling formed by the puborectalis
muscle
• Ends at the anus, the external outlet of the alimentary
tract
47
• Surrounded by internal and external anal
sphincters
• Descends posteroinferiorly between the
anococcygeal ligament and the perineal body
• Normally collapsed except during passage of
feces
– both sphincters must relax before defecation can
occur
48
• The inferior comb-shaped limit of the anal valves
forms an irregular line, the pectinate line
– Indicates the junction of the superior part of the anal canal
(visceral; derived from the hindgut) and the inferior part
(somatic; derived from the embryonic proctodeum)
• Arterial supply
– Superior rectal artery: supplies the anal canal
superior to the pectinate line
– Inferior rectal arteries: supply the inferior part of
the anal canal as well as the surrounding muscles
and perianal skin
– Middle rectal arteries: assist with the blood supply
to the anal canal by forming anastomoses with the
superior and inferior rectal arteries
51
Venous drainage
• The internal rectal venous plexus drains in both
directions from the level of the pectinate line
– Superior to the pectinate line: drains into the superior rectal
vein (a tributary of the inferior mesenteric vein) and the portal
system
– Inferior to the pectinate line: drains into the inferior rectal
veins (tributaries of the caval venous system) around the margin
of the external anal sphincter
– The middle rectal veins (tributaries of the internal iliac veins)
mainly drain the muscularis externa of the rectal ampulla and
form anastomoses with the superior and inferior rectal veins
52
Lymphatic drainage
– Superior to the pectinate line
• Drain into the internal iliac lymph nodes
53
Innervation of anal canal
• Superior to the pectinate line
– visceral innervation from the inferior hypogastric plexus
(sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent
fibers)
– inferior to the pelvic pain line; all visceral afferents travel
with the parasympathetic fibers to spinal sensory ganglia
S2 - S4
– sensitive only to stretching
• Inferior to the pectinate line
– somatic, derived from the inferior anal (rectal) nerves,
branches of the pudendal nerve
– sensitive to pain, touch, and temperature
– Somatic efferent fibers stimulate the contraction of the
voluntary external anal sphincter
54
Hemorrhoids
• Internal hemorrhoids (piles)
– Prolapses of the rectal mucosa containing the
normally dilated veins of the internal rectal venous
plexus
– Owing to the presence of abundant arteriovenous
anastomoses, bleeding from internal hemorrhoids is
usually bright red
• External hemorrhoids
– Thromboses (blood clots) in the veins of the external
rectal venous plexus and are covered by skin
55
56
Perineal Muscles
Bulbospongiosus
Origin: perineal body
Insertion:
Male
– Perineal membrane,
– Dorsal aspect of
corpora spongiosum
and cavernosa, and
Female
– Pubic arch and
– Corpora cavernosa of
clitoris
Bulbospongiosus…
Innervation
• Muscular (deep) branch of perineal nerve
Action:
• supports and fixes perineal body/pelvic floor
• compresses bulb of penis /greater vestibular gland
• Sphincter of vagina
• Assists erection
Ischiocavernosus
• Origin
– Internal surface of
ischiopubic ramus and
ischial tuberosity
• Insertion
– Inferior and medial aspects
of crus and to perineal
membrane
• Innervation
– Muscular (deep) branch of
perineal nerve, a branch of
pudendal nerve (S2 - S4)
• Main Action
– Maintains erection of penis
or clitoris
Superficial Transverse Perineal
• Origin
– Internal surface of
ischiopubic ramus
and ischial
tuberosity
• Insertion
– perineal body
Superficial Transverse Perineal…
Origin
• Internal surface of Ischiopubic ramus and ischial tuberosity
Insertion
• perineal body and external anal sphincter
Innervation
• Muscular (deep) branch of perineal nerve
Main Action
• Supports and fixes perineal body/pelvic floor
EXTERNAL GENITALIA
Testes
• Each testes is approximately 4 cm long and
2.5 cm in diameter
• Each testis (testicle) is surrounded by two tunics
– Tunica vaginalis: outer; derived from the
peritoneum
– Tunica albuginea: deep; dense connective
tissue capsule
65
66
• The testes develop retroperitoneally in the dorsal wall of
the embryonic abdominal cavity
• They are moved during fetal development and lie within
the two sides of the scrotum.
• Because of the migration from the abdominal cavity, each
testis carries with it a serous sac, the tunica vaginalis,
derived from the peritoneum
– The tunic consists of an outer parietal layer lining the scrotum
and an inner visceral layer, covering the tunica albuginea on
the anterior and lateral sides of the testis 67
68
69
• The tunica albuginea is thickened on the posterior side
of the testis to form the mediastinum testis and divide
it into about 250 pyramidal compartments or testicular
lobules
• Each lobule is occupied by one to four seminiferous
tubules and endocrine interstitial cells (Leydig cells)
• Seminiferous tubules produce male reproductive cells,
the spermatozoa, whereas interstitial cells secrete
testicular androgens
70
Testes: Neurovasculature
• The long testicular arteries, which branch from
the abdominal aorta, supply the testes
• Testicular veins arise from a network called
pampiniform plexus that surrounds the testicular
artery
– The plexus absorbs heat from the arterial blood,
cooling it before it enters the testes.
– Thus, it provides an additional avenue for
maintaining the testes at their cool homeostatic
temperature
• The testes are served by both divisions of the
autonomic nervous system
71
72
Cryptorchidism
Occurs in about 5% of newborn males in which one
or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum.
An undescended testis, which may be located in
either inguinal canal (typically) or in the pelvic
cavity is sterile because viable sperm cannot be
produced at the higher temperature there.
Surgical correction within 6–18 months after birth
is recommended to avoid damage to sperm-forming
cells.
Left uncorrected, undescended testes have an
increased likelihood of developing testicular cancer.
Hydrocele
• A hydrocele is the presence of excess fluid in a tunica
vaginalis of the testes.
• The fluid accumulation results from secretion of an
abnormal amount of serous fluid from the visceral
layer of the tunica vaginalis.
74
Epididymis
75
76
Parts
• The epididymis consists of:
– Head of the epididymis
• The superior expanded part that is composed of
lobules formed by the coiled ends of 12 - 14
efferent ductules
– Body of the epididymis
• Consists of the convoluted duct of the epididymis
– Tail of the epididymis
• Continuous with the ductus deferens, the duct
that transports the sperm from the epididymis to
the ejaculatory duct for expulsion via the urethra
during ejaculation
77
Scrotum
• It is a cutaneous fibromuscular sac for the testes
and associated structures.
• It is situated posteroinferior to the penis and inferior
to the pubic symphysis.
• Internally, the scrotum is divided into two
compartments
• One for each testis, by a prolongation of the dartos
fascia.
Arterial Supply of the Scrotum
Venous Drainage
• The scrotal veins, draining primarily to the
external pudendal veins
Lymphatic Drainage
• Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
Innervation of the Scrotum
Anterior – derived from lumbar plexus:
Anterior scrotal nerves: br. ilioing.N
The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve.
The posterior- derived from sacral plexus:
Posterior scrotal nerves: br. supf. per. N
The perineal branch of the posterior femoral
cutaneous nerve
Penis