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.
| Levator ani | |
|---|---|
Left levator ani seen from within. | |
Coronal section through the male anal canal. B. Cavity of urinary bladder V.D. Vas deferens. S.V. Seminal vesicle. R. Second part of rectum. A.C. Anal canal. L.A. Levator ani. I.S. Internal anal sphincter. E.S External anal sphincter. | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Inner surface of the side of the lesser pelvis |
| Insertion | Inner surface of coccyx, levator ani of opposite side, and into structures that penetrate it. |
| Artery | Inferior gluteal artery |
| Nerve | pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus: |
| Actions | Supports the viscera in pelvic cavity |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus levator ani |
| TA98 | A04.5.04.002 |
| TA2 | 2403 |
| FMA | 19087 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
It is attached to the inner surface of each side of the lesser pelvis, and these unite to form the greater part of the pelvic floor. The coccygeus muscle completes the pelvic floor, which is also called the pelvic diaphragm.
It supports the viscera in the pelvic cavity, and surrounds the various structures that pass through it.
The levator ani is the main pelvic floor muscle and contracts rhythmically during female orgasm, and painfully during vaginismus.
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