Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum01:26

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum

6.8K
The muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum are crucial for supporting the pelvic organs, controlling continence, and aiding in sexual function, childbirth, and core stability. They are typically divided into the superficial perineal layer and the deep pelvic floor layer.
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
6.8K
Layers of Connective Tissue Proper01:21

Layers of Connective Tissue Proper

8.0K
Fascia, a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue, is distributed throughout the body. It demarcates and forms a supportive covering over skeletal muscles, bones, blood vessels, and organs. There are three main types of facia— superficial fascia, deep fascia, and subserous fascia. These are all present at different depths in the body. Fascia reduces the friction and permits muscles, joints, and organs to easily slide against each other, facilitating movement of the body and preventing...
8.0K
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants01:19

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

17.2K
To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...
17.2K
Spinal Nerves: Plexus II01:21

Spinal Nerves: Plexus II

3.1K
The plexuses of the lower body include the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal plexuses, which innervate the abdomen, pelvis, legs, and coccygeal region. These plexuses control the transmission of sensory information and coordinate motor functions of the lower body.
The Lumbar Plexus
The lumbar plexus is situated within the lumbar region of the back and is primarily formed by the first four lumbar spinal nerves (L1 to L4). This plexus extends its branches into several nerves, including the...
3.1K
Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

4.6K
The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
4.6K
Irritable Bowel Syndrome01:23

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

25
DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent combinations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeIts pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving disturbances in motility, sensory processing, microbial balance, barrier integrity, and gut–brain communication. These mechanisms interact to produce symptoms that vary across IBS subtypes.Altered Motility...
25

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Physical activity and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: facility-based cross-sectional study.

BMC pregnancy and childbirth·2020
Same author

Recognizing and treating pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America·2007
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity
07:20

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

Published on: December 21, 2012

15.2K

Myofascial pelvic pain.

Theresa Monaco Spitznagle1, Caitlin McCurdy Robinson2

  • 1Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, 4444 Forest Park, Box 8502, St Louis, MO 63108-2212, USA.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America
|August 27, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Pelvic pain often involves muscles and fascia, not just organs. Physical examination should assess these tissues and nerves for effective treatment of pelvic pain.

Keywords:
Myofascial pain syndromePelvic painSomatovisceral convergence

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Women's Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Through Acupoint Catgut Embedding
02:41

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Women's Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Through Acupoint Catgut Embedding

Published on: May 3, 2024

2.7K
Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain
06:44

Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain

Published on: June 23, 2009

19.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity
07:20

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

Published on: December 21, 2012

15.2K
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Women's Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Through Acupoint Catgut Embedding
02:41

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Women's Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Through Acupoint Catgut Embedding

Published on: May 3, 2024

2.7K
Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain
06:44

Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain

Published on: June 23, 2009

19.6K

Area of Science:

  • Pelvic pain research
  • Musculoskeletal and Neurological Sciences

Background:

  • Pelvic pain is a common condition with symptoms often extending below the umbilicus to the thighs or genital area.
  • The pelvic region exhibits somatovisceral convergence, meaning pain can originate from or affect multiple systems, including organs, muscles, fascia, and nerves.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of a comprehensive physical examination for women experiencing pelvic pain.
  • To emphasize the role of musculoskeletal and neurological factors in pelvic pain.

Main Methods:

  • Review of anatomical and physiological principles of pelvic pain.
  • Discussion of the functional anatomy of the pelvic floor musculature.
  • Consideration of conservative treatment approaches based on physical examination findings.

Main Results:

  • Pelvic pain evaluation necessitates examination beyond pelvic organs to include muscles, connective tissues (fascia), and neurologic input.
  • The pelvic floor muscles are particularly susceptible to myofascial pain due to their unique functional demands.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough physical examination is crucial for diagnosing the causes of pelvic pain in women.
  • Conservative interventions targeting identified musculoskeletal and fascial impairments should be considered as primary treatment strategies.