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The perineum is the space between the anus and genitals, with the human perineum located between the anus and the scrotum in males, and the anus and vulva in females. The perineal body is a central attachment for perineal muscles, which support the pelvic floor. Perineal muscles include the ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, superficial transverse perineal muscles, and deep transverse perineal muscles. Perineal tears are common during childbirth, and can lead to damage to the pelvic floor muscles, anal sphincter, and perineal body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The perineum is the space between the anus and the genitals. |
| Location | The perineum is the most inferior part of the pelvic outlet. It lies between the thighs and is separated from the pelvic cavity superiorly by the pelvic floor. |
| Structure | The perineum is a diamond-shaped area that includes the anus and, in females, the vagina. |
| Perineal Body | A central attachment for perineal muscles, it functions to support the pelvic floor. |
| Perineal Fascia | A continuity of the abdominal fascia that has two components: Deep fascia and Superficial fascia. |
| Perineal Pouches | The deep perineal pouch is occupied by the puboperinalis and deep transverse perinei muscles. The superficial perineal pouch contains the erectile tissues that form the penis and clitoris, and three muscles – the ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus and superficial transverse perineal muscles. |
| Perineal Muscles | The perineal muscles include the ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, superficial transverse perineal muscles, deep transverse perineal muscles, levator ani muscle, puborectalis muscle, urethral sphincter, and external anal sphincter. |
| Perineal Tears | Perineal tears often occur during childbirth, especially in first-time deliveries. |
| Perineal Trauma | Perineal trauma can occur due to injury or trauma from activities such as motorcycling, bike riding, or horseback riding. |
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What You'll Learn
The perineum is the space between the anus and genitals
The perineum is an erogenous zone, containing multiple nerve endings that help with sexual arousal and response. It also contains structures that enable humans to urinate, defecate, and have intercourse. In females, the perineum contains structures that help with vaginal childbirth. The perineum forms a foundation that supports the pelvic floor muscles, which hold organs like the bladder, colon, and reproductive organs in place.
The perineal body is a fibromuscular mass located in the middle of the interischial line, between the two triangles of the perineum. The perineal raphe is visible and pronounced to varying degrees. The perineum contains various muscles, including the superficial transverse perineal muscle, the bulbocavernosus, the ischiocavernosus, the deep transverse perineal muscle, the urethral sphincter, the external anal sphincter, and the levator ani muscle.
The perineum is susceptible to damage during childbirth, particularly in first-time deliveries, where perineal tears and episiotomies (a surgical cut in the perineum) are common. Perineal tears can cause pain and difficulty with urination, defecation, and intercourse. Episiotomies were once routine but are becoming rarer due to evidence suggesting they may increase the likelihood of pelvic pain and incontinence following delivery.
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Perineal tears and episiotomies are common during childbirth
The perineum is the space between the anus and the genitals. In males, the perineum is the region between the anus and the scrotum, whereas in females, it is the area between the anus and the vulva. The perineum is the most inferior part of the pelvic outlet, lying between the thighs. It is separated from the pelvic cavity by the pelvic floor. The perineal body, a fibromuscular mass in the middle line of the perineum, functions to support the pelvic floor.
During childbirth, the perineum needs to stretch a lot, and it might tear. Perineal tears and episiotomies are, therefore, common during childbirth, especially with first-time deliveries. Up to 9 in 10 first-time mothers who have a vaginal birth will have some sort of graze, tear, or episiotomy. An episiotomy is a cut made by a healthcare professional in the perineum and vaginal wall to make more space for the baby to be born. It is done with the mother's consent and only in cases where the baby needs to be born quickly, often during an instrumental birth, or if the mother is at risk of a serious perineal tear.
The skin of the perineum usually stretches well, but it may tear, especially in first-time mothers. Tears can be minor or more significant, affecting the anus. These are called third or fourth-degree tears and will be stitched in the operating theatre. The most severe tears can lead to anal incontinence. Episiotomies are performed to reduce the chance of more serious tearing and to facilitate vaginal birth with forceps or ventouse. They are usually a simple procedure, with local anaesthesia used to numb the area. After the birth, the cut is stitched up using dissolvable stitches, and it should heal within a month.
Perineal tears and episiotomies can be physically and emotionally traumatic for women and birthing people. Pain during sex is common in the first few months after a tear or episiotomy. Additionally, some women develop excessive, raised, or itchy scar tissue around the area.
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Perineal muscles include the superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles
The perineum is the space between the anus and the genitals. The human perineum is between the anus and scrotum in males and between the anus and vulva in females. The perineum is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tailbone). It is a diamond-shaped area that includes the anus and, in females, the vagina. The perineum is generally the most inferior part of the pelvic outlet, lying between the thighs. It is separated from the pelvic cavity superiorly by the pelvic floor.
The perineal body is a central attachment for perineal muscles and functions to support the pelvic floor. Perineal tears and episiotomy often occur during childbirth, particularly in first-time deliveries. The perineal body receives its blood supply from the perineal branches of the pudendal vessels, which provide nourishment to the superficial and muscular tissues of the perineum.
The perineal muscles include the superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles. The superficial transverse perineal muscle is a thin muscular slip, which passes transversely across the perineal space in front of the anus. It arises from tendinous fibres from the inner and forepart of the ischial tuberosity and is inserted into the central tendinous point of the perineum (perineal body). The deep transverse perineal muscle lies in the perineum, a part of the pelvic floor. It arises from the inferior rami of the ischium and runs to the median plane, where it interlaces in a tendinous raphe with the other deep transverse perineal muscle of the opposite side. The deep transverse perineal muscle is innervated by the pudendal nerve.
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The perineal body is a central attachment for perineal muscles
The perineum is the space between the anus and genitals, located between the thighs, and separated from the pelvic cavity by the pelvic floor. The perineal body is a fibromuscular mass in the middle of the perineum, at the junction between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle. It is a central attachment for several muscles, including the deep and superficial transverse perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, the ischiocavernosus, the levator ani, and the external anal sphincter.
The deep transverse perineal muscle lies in the perineum, as part of the pelvic floor. It arises from the inferior rami of the ischium and extends to the median plane, where it interlaces with the other deep transverse perineal muscle of the opposite side. The deep transverse perineal muscle is innervated by the pudendal nerve and contributes to the fixation of the perineal body, support of the pelvic floor, and expulsion of semen in males and the last drops of urine in both sexes.
The superficial transverse perineal muscle, on the other hand, is a thin muscular slip that passes transversely across the anterior region of the perineum, located deep to the superficial perineal fascia. It arises from tendinous fibres from the inner and forepart of the ischial tuberosity and inserts into the central tendinous point of the perineum (perineal body). It joins with the external anal sphincter muscle behind and the bulbospongiosus muscle in front.
The perineal body is essential for the integrity of the pelvic floor, particularly in females. During childbirth, the perineal body can sustain damage, such as stretching or tearing, which can lead to a prolapse of the pelvic viscera. An episiotomy, a surgical cut in the perineum, may be performed to prevent uncontrolled tearing of the perineal body, but it can cause damage to the vaginal mucosa.
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The perineum is an erogenous zone
The perineum is the space between the anus and the genitals. It is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tailbone). The perineum is separated from the pelvic cavity by the pelvic diaphragm and includes the perineal body and surrounding structures. The perineal body is a fibromuscular mass at the junction between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle. It functions to support the pelvic floor and is essential for its integrity, especially in females.
The perineum is a common erogenous zone for both males and females. It is a sensitive area with many nerve endings. Stimulating the perineum can produce sexual pleasure, especially when a person is already experiencing arousal. The perineum can be stimulated in a variety of ways, such as through gentle, subtle stimulation like blowing or light touches, or through more intense and continuous stimulation like massaging or stroking.
The perineum contains erectile tissues that form the penis and clitoris. The clitoris is a small, sensitive, erectile organ located externally at the front of the vulva, and it contains many nerve endings. Stimulating the clitoris can be pleasurable for females, and it can lead to sexual pleasure and even orgasm. Similarly, the perineum in males contains the frenulum, which is a V-shaped spot just below the glans of the penis. The frenulum is another erogenous zone that can provide pleasure when stimulated.
The perineum is also associated with the pudendal nerve, which supplies the whole perineum with somatic fibres. The pudendal nerve arises from the sacral plexus and provides sensory and motor innervation to the perineum and surrounding structures. It plays a role in sexual function and pleasure by transmitting sensory information and facilitating muscular contractions in the perineal region.
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Frequently asked questions
The perineum is the space between the anus and the genitals. It is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tail bone).
The perineal muscles are the superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles. The superficial transverse perineal muscle is a narrow muscular slip that passes across the perineal space in front of the anus. The deep transverse perineal muscle lies in the perineum, a part of the pelvic floor.
The perineal muscles have various functions, including fixation of the perineal body, support of the pelvic floor, and expulsion of semen in males and the last drops of urine in both sexes. The perineal body is a central attachment for perineal muscles and functions to support the pelvic floor.
The perineum can be damaged in several ways, including childbirth, injury or trauma (particularly from motorcycling, bike riding, or horseback riding), and infection or inflammation.
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