The superficial perineal pouch (also superficial perineal compartment/space/sac) is a compartment of the
perineum
The perineum in humans is the space between the anus and scrotum in the male, or between the anus and the vulva in the female. The perineum is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tail bone), inclu ...
.
Structure
The superficial perineal pouch is an open compartment, due to the fact that anteriorly, the space communicates freely with the potential space lying between the superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall and the anterior abdominal muscles:
* its inferior border is the
fascia of Colles, the deeper
membranous layer of the
superficial perineal fascia that covers the inferior border of the muscles of the superficial perineal pouch. (The
fascia of perineum is a
deep fascia that covers the superficial perineal muscles individually).
* its superior border is the
perineal membrane (inferior 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 o ...
).
Contents
* Muscles
**
Ischiocavernosus muscle
**
Bulbospongiosus muscle
The bulbospongiosus muscle (bulbocavernosus in older texts) is one of the superficial muscles of the perineum. It has a slightly different origin, insertion and function in males and females. In males, it covers the bulb of the penis. In fem ...
**
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
* Erectile bodies
** Corpus cavernosum (
of penis and
of clitoris)
** Corpus spongiosum (
of penis)
* Vessels
**
Posterior scrotal arteries (males)/
Labial arteries (females)
** Artery to bulb (males)/vestibule (females)
**
Urethral artery
*Nerves
**
Posterior scrotal nerves (males)/
Posterior Labial nerves(females)
* Other
**
Crura of penis
For their anterior three-fourths the corpora cavernosa penis lie in intimate apposition with one another, but behind they diverge in the form of two tapering processes, known as the crura, which are firmly connected to the ischial rami.
Traced f ...
(males) /
Crura of clitoris
The clitoral crura (singular: clitoral crux) are two erectile tissue structures, which together form a V-shape. ''Crus'' is a Latin word that means "leg". Each "leg" of the ''V'' converges on the clitoral body. At each divergent point is a corp ...
(females)
**
Bulb of penis (males) /
Bulb of vestibule (females)
**
Bartholin's glands (female)
**
Spongy urethra contained in the corpus spongiosum
Additional images
File:Gray403.png, Median sagittal section of male pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciæ.
Image:1116 Muscle of the Female Perineum.png, Muscles of female perineum.
See also
*
Deep perineal pouch
References
External links
* - "The Female Perineum: The Superficial Perineal Pouch"
*
Perineum
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