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Related Concept Videos

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum01:26

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum

3.2K
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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
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Does pregnancy affect pelvic floor functional anatomy? A retrospective study.

Ixora Kamisan Atan1, Wenyu Zhang2, Ka Lai Shek3

  • 1Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, 62, Derby Street, Kingswood, 2747 NSW, Australia; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Cheras, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|February 9, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Pregnancy may affect pelvic floor anatomy even without vaginal birth. Women delivering only by Cesarean section showed increased pelvic organ mobility and hiatal area compared to nulliparous women.

Keywords:
Pelvic floor functionPelvic organ supportPregnancyTranslabialUltrasound

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Area of Science:

  • Urogynecology
  • Pelvic Floor Disorders
  • Female Pelvic Medicine

Background:

  • Vaginal childbirth is a known cause of female pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • Pregnancy itself may also impact pelvic floor anatomy and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of pregnancy on the functional anatomy of the pelvic floor.
  • To compare pelvic floor anatomy in women who delivered exclusively by Cesarean section versus nulliparous women.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of women presenting with pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • Comparison between nulliparous women and those who delivered exclusively by Cesarean section (CS).
  • Standardized clinical interview, ICS POP-Q assessment, and 3D/4D translabial pelvic floor ultrasound.

Main Results:

  • Women who delivered exclusively by CS showed significantly greater anterior compartment pelvic organ mobility (P < 0.05).
  • The CS group had a larger hiatal area on Valsalva (P = 0.004).
  • Greater tissue displacement on pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) was observed in the CS group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive Cesarean section delivery was associated with increased pelvic organ descent and tissue displacement during PFMC.
  • Findings suggest a potential hormonal and/or mechanical effect of pregnancy on pelvic floor tissue elasticity or compliance.
  • Pregnancy may induce subtle changes in pelvic floor functional anatomy independent of vaginal delivery.