34 Questions
What is the superior boundary of the pelvic cavity?
Pelvic inlet
What structures are included in the perineum?
Anal and urogenital triangles
What protects the perineum?
Bones of the lesser pelvis
Which muscle is responsible for the most proximal portion of the spongy urethra being the most commonly ruptured portion of the male urethra?
Bulbospongiosus muscle
Through which ligaments do the pudendal nerve and internal pudendal vessels exit the pelvis?
Sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments
Which ligament forms part of the neurovasculature pathway of the perineum?
Sacrospinous ligament
Which structure gives off the inferior rectal nerve and vessels as they travel across the ischioanal fossa?
Pudendal nerve
Which muscle is not part of the neurovasculature pathway of the perineum?
Piriformis muscle
Which structure supplies motor (GSE) to all skeletal muscles of the perineum?
Pudendal nerve
Which structure can be seen entering the pudendal canal as they travel anteriorly to reach the urogenital triangle?
Internal pudendal artery and vein
Which structure forms the 'skeleton' of the urogenital triangle in the perineum?
Perineal membrane
What is the function of the labia minora in females?
Enclose the vaginal and urethral openings
In males, where is the superficial perineal pouch located?
Between the membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue and the perineal membrane
What forms the crura, body, and glans of the clitoris in females?
Corpora cavernosa
What is the function of the mons pubis in females?
A fatty tissue covering the pubic bone
Which structure thickens to form the perineal body, serving as an attachment site for muscles?
Posterior edge of the perineal membrane
Where are the bulbs of the vestibule located in females?
In the superficial perineal pouch
What forms the bulb and continues through the penis shaft in males?
Corpus spongiosum
Which fascia is located between the membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue and the perineal membrane in the perineum?
Camper’s fascia
Which structure primarily receives its neurovasculature from perineal branches of the internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerves?
The superficial perineal pouch
What is the function of the labia majora in females?
Protect internal organs
What is meant by "superior" in this portion of the body?
Inferior
The perineal body is formed by the thickened anterior edge of the perineal membrane. It serves as an attachment site for many of the muscles of both the superficial and deep perineal pouches, the anal triangle and the levator ani
False
Match the contents of the superficial perineal pouch to each sex
Male = Crura of the penis and ischiocavernosus muscle Female = Greater vestibular glands Both = Perineal branches of the internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerves Male = Proximal part of the spongy urethra
The deep perineal pouch contains the external urethral sphincter
True
Match each structure of the external female genitalia with its function/characteristic
Mons pubis = Rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone. During puberty it becomes covered with hair Labia majora = Enclose and protect the other external genital organs. They are comparable to the scrotum in males. Labia minora = Contain the openings of the vagina and urethra (the vestibule of the vagina). Has a rich supply of blood vessels. Clitoris = A small protrusion that corresponds to the penis in the male. It is sensitive to sexual stimulation and can become erect
Match each tissue of the superficial perineal pouch (female) to its function
Corpora cavernosa = Form the crura, body and glans of the clitoris Ischiocavernosus muscle = Cover the crura and maintain erection Bulbs of the vestibule = Composed of corpus spongiosum. Are located on either side of the vaginal orifice along with the greater vestibular glands Bulbospongiosus muscle = Covers the bulbs and glands
Match each superficial perineal pouch (male) structure to its function/ characteristic
Corpus spongiosum = Forms the bulb of the penis and continues through the shaft/body of the penis taking the urethra to the end. Distally forms the glans penis (where the urethra terminates) Bulbospongiosus muscle = Covers the bulb of the penis Corpora Cavernosa = Form the crura of the penis and continue into the shaft/body Ischiocavernosus muscle = Cover the crura of the penis
Match each part of the penis with its feature/characteristic
Root = fixed to the inferior surface of the perineal membrane. Composed of crura and bulb and their overlying striated muscles Body = Suspended from the pubic symphysis by the suspensory ligament of the penis Glans = Distal expansion of the corpus spongiosum N/A = N/A
The extravasated urine from a ruptured spongy urethra will lie between the fascial layers that are continuous with the superficial (scarpa's) and deep fascia of the anterior abdominal wall
True
Scarpa's fascia forms the fundiform ligament of the penis/clitoris
True
Scarpa's fascia extends to the anal triangle in the perineum
False
The deep fascia of the external oblique forms Buck's fascia in the penis, which in turn forms the round ligament of the penis/ clitoris
False
The pudendal nerve and its branches supply motor (GSE) to all skeletal muscles of the perineum, and sensory (GSA) from the skin of the perineum, the distal vagina and inferior one-third of the anal canal
True
Study Notes
Anatomy of the Perineum and External Genitalia
- The perineum is divided into the anal triangle and urogenital triangle, with the perineal membrane forming the "skeleton" of the urogenital triangle.
- The perineal membrane contains passageways for the urethra and, in females, the vagina, and its posterior edge thickens to form the perineal body, serving as an attachment site for muscles.
- The superficial perineal pouch contains the bulb of the penis, bulbospongiosus muscle, crura of the penis, ischiocavernosus muscle in males, and bulbs of the vestibule, bulbospongiosus muscle, crura of the clitoris, and ischiocavernosus muscle in females.
- The deep perineal pouch contains part of the urethra and several skeletal muscles, including the external urethral sphincter.
- Female external genitalia include the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris, collectively called the vulva, with functions including enabling sperm entry, protecting internal organs, and providing sexual pleasure.
- The mons pubis is a fatty tissue covering the pubic bone, while the labia majora are fleshy folds protecting the external genital organs, comparable to the scrotum in males.
- The labia minora, located inside the labia majora, enclose the vaginal and urethral openings, and the clitoris, located between the labia minora, is sensitive to sexual stimulation and can become erect.
- In the superficial perineal pouch of females, the corpora cavernosa form the crura, body, and glans of the clitoris, while the bulbs of the vestibule and greater vestibular glands are also present.
- In the superficial perineal pouch of males, the corpus spongiosum forms the bulb and continues through the penis shaft, while the paired corpora cavernosa form the crura and continue into the shaft/body.
- The fascia of the perineum includes structures such as Camper’s fascia, Scarpa’s fascia, Colle’s fascia, Buck’s fascia, and deep perineal fascia, each with specific anatomical and structural roles.
- The superficial perineal pouch is located between the membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue and the perineal membrane, while the deep perineal pouch is located between the inferior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm and the perineal membrane.
- The structures in the perineum primarily receive their neurovasculature from perineal branches of the internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerves.
Test your knowledge of the anatomy of the perineum and external genitalia with this quiz. Explore the divisions, structures, and functions of the perineum, including the superficial and deep perineal pouches, external genitalia in males and females, and the neurovasculature supplying the area.
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