The pelvic fasciae are the

fascia A fascia (; : fasciae or fascias; adjective fascial; ) is a generic term for macroscopic membranous bodily structures. Fasciae are classified as superficial, visceral or deep, and further designated according to their anatomical location. ...

of the

pelvis The pelvis (: pelves or pelvises) is the lower part of an Anatomy, anatomical Trunk (anatomy), trunk, between the human abdomen, abdomen and the thighs (sometimes also called pelvic region), together with its embedded skeleton (sometimes also c ...

and can be divided into: * (a) the fascial sheaths of ** the

obturator internus The internal obturator muscle or obturator internus muscle originates on the medial surface of the obturator membrane, the ischium near the membrane, and the rim of the pubis (bone), pubis. It exits the pelvis, pelvic cavity through the lesser sc ...

muscles ( fascia of the obturator internus) ** the piriformis muscles ( fascia of the piriformis) ** the

pelvic floor The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is an anatomical location in the human body which has an important role in urinary and anal continence, sexual function, and support of the pelvic organs. The pelvic floor includes muscles, both skeletal and ...

* (b) fascia associated with the organs of the pelvis.

Structure

Fascia of pelvic organs

Pelvic fascia extends to cover the organs within the pelvis. It is attached to the fascia that runs along the pelvic floor along the tendinous arch. The fascia which covers pelvic organs can be divided according to the organs that are covered: * The front is known as the "vesical layer". It forms the anterior and lateral ligaments of the

bladder The bladder () is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys. In placental mammals, urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra during urination. In humans, the bladder is a distens ...

. * In males, its middle lamina crosses the floor of the pelvis between the rectum and vesiculæ seminales as the ''rectovesical septum''; in the female this is perforated by the

cervix The cervix (: cervices) or cervix uteri is a dynamic fibromuscular sexual organ of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The human female cervix has been documented anatomically since at least the time ...

and is named the transverse cervical ligament. * At the back, the fascia passes to the side of the

rectum The rectum (: rectums or recta) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. Before expulsion through the anus or cloaca, the rectum stores the feces temporarily. The adult ...

; it forms a loose sheath for the rectum, but is firmly attached around the

anal canal The anal canal is the part that connects the rectum to the anus, located below the level of the pelvic diaphragm. It is located within the anal triangle of the perineum, between the right and left ischioanal fossa. As the final functional s ...

. This portion is known as the "rectal layer".

Fascia of the pelvic floor

;Superior The part of the pelvic fascia on the pelvic floor covers both surfaces of the

levator ani The levator ani is a broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis. It is formed from three muscle components: the pubococcygeus, the iliococcygeus, and the puborectalis. It is attached to the inner surface of each side of the ...

muscles. The layer covering the upper surface of the

pelvic diaphragm The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is an anatomical location in the human body which has an important role in urinary and anal continence, sexual function, and support of the pelvic organs. The pelvic floor includes muscles, both skeletal and ...

follows, above, the line of origin of the levator ani and is therefore somewhat variable. In front it is attached to the back of the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis (: symphyses) is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attache ...

about 2 cm above its lower border. It can then be traced laterally across the back of the superior ramus of the pubis for a distance of about 1.25 cm, when it reaches the obturator fascia. It is attached to this fascia along a line which pursues a somewhat irregular course to the spine of the ischium. The irregularity of this line is because the origin of the levator ani, which in lower forms is from the

pelvic brim The pelvic brim is the edge of the pelvic inlet. It is an approximately butterfly-shaped line passing through the prominence of the sacrum, the arcuate and pectineal lines, and the upper margin of the pubic symphysis. Structure The pelvic ...

, is in man lower down, on the obturator fascia. Tendinous fibers of origin of the muscle are therefore often found extending up toward, and in some cases reaching, the pelvic brim, and on these the fascia is carried. ;Inferior The diaphragmatic part of the pelvic fascia covers both surfaces of the

muscles. The inferior layer is known as the anal fascia. It is attached above to the obturator fascia along the line of origin of the levator ani, while below it is continuous with the superior fascia of the

urogenital diaphragm Older texts have asserted the existence of a urogenital diaphragm, also called the triangular ligament, which was described as a layer of the pelvis that separates the deep perineal sac from the upper pelvis, lying between the inferior fascia of ...

, and with the fascia on the sphincter ani internus.

Additional images

File:Gray547.png, The relations of the femoral and abdominal inguinal rings, seen from within the abdomen. Right side.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Pelvis Fascia