The deep perineal pouch (also deep perineal space) is the

anatomic space {{set index article In anatomy, a spatium or anatomic space is a space (cavity or gap). Anatomic spaces are often landmarks to find other important structures. When they fill with gases (such as air) or liquids (such as blood) in pathological ways, ...

enclosed in part by the

perineum The perineum (: perineums or perinea) in placentalia, placental mammals is the space between the anus and the genitals. The human perineum is between the anus and scrotum in the male or between the anus and vulva in the female. The perineum is ...

and located superior to the

perineal membrane The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane. It is the superior border of the super ...

Structure

The deep perineal pouch is bordered inferiorly by the perineal membrane, also known as the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. It is bordered superiorly by the

superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm The superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm is continuous with the obturator fascia and stretches across the pubic arch. Structure If the obturator fascia be traced medially after leaving the obturator internus muscle, it will be found attache ...

. The deep pouch is now described as the region between the perineal membrane and 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 ...

.Netter, F., ''Atlas of Human Anatomy.''5th Ed. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2010.

The deep perineal pouch contains: * muscles ** Deep transverse perineal muscles **

External sphincter muscle of male urethra The external sphincter muscle of the male urethra, also sphincter urethrae membranaceae, sphincter urethrae externus, surrounds the whole length of the membranous urethra, and is enclosed in the fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. Its external fi ...

External sphincter muscle of female urethra The external sphincter muscle of the female urethra is a muscle which controls urination in females. The muscle fibers arise on either side from the margin of the inferior ramus of the pubis. They are directed across the pubic arch in front of the ...

** Compressor urethrae muscle in the female is sometimes includedEssential Clinical Anatomy – 4th Edition. p.255 ** Urethrovaginal sphincter in the female is sometimes included * other **

Membranous urethra The membranous urethra or intermediate part of male urethra is the shortest, least dilatable, and, with the exception of the urinary meatus, the narrowest part of the urethra. It extends from the apex of the prostate proximally to the bulb of ur ...

in the male; proximal portion of

urethra The urethra (: urethras or urethrae) is the tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus, through which Placentalia, placental mammals Urination, urinate and Ejaculation, ejaculate. The external urethral sphincter is a striated ...

in the female **

Bulbourethral gland The bulbourethral glands or Cowper's glands (named for English anatomist William Cowper) are two small exocrine and accessory glands in the reproductive system of many male mammals. They are homologous to Bartholin's glands in females. The bul ...

(males). The Bartholin gland, the female counterpart, is in the

superficial perineal pouch The superficial perineal pouch (also superficial perineal compartment/space/sac) is a compartment of the perineum. Structure The superficial perineal pouch is an open compartment, due to the fact that anteriorly, the space communicates freely wi ...

Vagina In mammals and other animals, the vagina (: vaginas or vaginae) is the elastic, muscular sex organ, reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix (neck of the uterus). The #Vag ...

(females)

Urogenital diaphragm

Older texts have asserted the existence of a "

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 ...

", which was described as a layer 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 ...

that separates the ''deep perineal sac'' from the upper pelvis. The deep perineal pouch lies between the

inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane. It is the superior border of the super ...

and

Additional images

File:male anatomy 1.png , Male anatomy File:Gray403.png, Median sagittal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciæ. File:Gray543.png , The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery.

References

External links

* – "The Female Perineum: The Perineal Nerve" * – "The Female Perineum – The Deep Perineal Pouch" * – "The urinary bladder and the urethra as seen in a frontal section of the female pelvis." * – "The Male Pelvis: The Prostate Gland" * () * * http://www.instantanatomy.net/abdomen/areas/perineum/mdeepperinealpouch.html {{Authority control Perineum

Structure

Contents

Urogenital diaphragm

Additional images

See also

References

External links