
The perineal body, also known as the central tendon of the perineum, is a fibromuscular structure located at the centre of the perineum, which is a diamond-shaped space below the pelvic diaphragm. The perineal body is composed of collagen and elastic fibres, as well as skeletal and smooth muscles. It acts as an attachment point for various muscles, including the bulbospongiosus, external anal sphincter, and deep and superficial transverse perineal muscles. The perineal body helps to strengthen the pelvic floor and plays a crucial role in maintaining its integrity, especially in female individuals. The perineum can be divided into two triangular regions: the posterior anal triangle and the anterior urogenital triangle, which differ in their anatomical structures and functions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perineal body | Also referred to as the "central tendon of the perineum" |
| Location | At the junction of the urogenital and anal triangles – the central point of the perineum |
| Composition | Collagen and elastic fibres, skeletal and smooth muscle |
| Shape | Pyramid in the male body, wedge in the female body |
| Function | Serves as a central convergence point where fibres of several muscles interlace and overlap |
| Muscles attached | Bulbospongiosus, external anal sphincter, both the superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles |
| Perineum | Diamond-shaped space below the pelvic diaphragm |
| Composition | Muscle-fascial structures that form a closure for the pelvis |
| Innervation | Motoneurons located in the nucleus of Onuf, transmitted through branches of the pudendal nerve |
| Region | Extends from the skin to the inferior fascial surface of the pelvic floor and occupies a median position between the buttocks and the medial surface of the thighs |
| Boundaries | Anteriorly by the pubic arch, laterally in a posterior direction from the lower branch of the pubis and the ischium to the ischial tuberosity and the sacrotuberous |
| Divisions | Anal triangle, urogenital triangle |
| Anal triangle | Contains the terminal segment of the anal canal, the anal sphincters, the ischiorectal fossae, and the rectovaginal or prostate septum |
| Urogenital triangle | Contains the external urogenital organs, the superficial perineal fascia, the anterior perineal muscles, and the sphincters |
| Superficial perineal pouch | Contains erectile tissues, skeletal muscles, and the terminal branches of the internal pudendal vessels and nerves |
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What You'll Learn
- The perineal body is a fibromuscular structure in the perineum's midline
- The perineal membrane divides the perineum into the urogenital and anal triangles
- The perineal region extends from the skin to the pelvic floor
- The perineum receives innervation from the pudendal nerve
- The perineal body serves as an attachment point for various muscles

The perineal body is a fibromuscular structure in the perineum's midline
The perineum is a diamond-shaped space below the pelvic diaphragm and refers to the lowest region of the trunk. It is divided into two triangular regions by a transverse line passing through the ischial tuberosities. The posterior or anal triangle has its anterior base and apex at the coccyx, and the anterior or urogenital triangle has its posterior base and apex at the pubic symphysis. The perineal body is located at the junction of these two triangles, in the midline of the perineum.
The perineal body, also referred to as the "central tendon of the perineum," is a fibromuscular structure. It is composed of collagen and elastic fibres, along with both skeletal and smooth muscle. The perineal body is positioned posterior to the vaginal vestibule in females and the penile bulb in males, and is anterior to the anus and anal canal. The perineal body serves as a central convergence point where fibres of several muscles interlace and overlap.
In the male body, the perineal body is located between the anus and the bulb of the penis, while in the female body, it lies between the anus and the posterior limit of the vulvar orifice. The perineal body helps strengthen the pelvic floor and provides attachments to several muscles, including the bulbospongiosus, deep transverse perineal muscle, and compressor urethrae in females. The perineal body is critical for maintaining the integrity of the pelvic floor, especially in female individuals.
The perineal body may rupture during vaginal delivery, potentially leading to a widening of the gap between the levator muscles and predisposing women to prolapse of the rectum, uterus, or urinary bladder. Additionally, the perineal body serves as an important landmark during the surgical resection of anorectal tumours, ensuring the achievement of tumour-free margins.
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The perineal membrane divides the perineum into the urogenital and anal triangles
The perineum is the thin layer of skin between the genitals (vaginal opening or scrotum) and the anus. It is a common site for tears during childbirth. The perineum is bounded anteriorly by the pubic arch and laterally extends in a posterior direction from the lower branch of the pubis and the ischium to the ischial tuberosity and the sacrotuberous.
The perineum can be subdivided into two triangular regions by a theoretical line drawn transversely between the ischial tuberosities. This split forms the anterior urogenital triangle and the posterior anal triangle. These triangles are associated with different components of the perineum. The perineal membrane, a layer of tough fascia, is present in the urogenital triangle. It is perforated by the urethra and the vagina in females. The perineal membrane provides attachment for the muscles of the external genitalia.
The anal triangle contains the opening of the anus and the anal sphincter, which helps the anus squeeze and relax so that one can defecate. The urogenital triangle contains the genitals, the urethra, and the associated muscles. The perineal membrane has pouches on its superior and inferior surfaces. The deep perineal pouch is a potential space between the deep fascia of the pelvic floor and the perineal membrane. It contains part of the urethra, the external urethral sphincter, and the vagina in females. In males, it also contains the bulbourethral glands and the deep transverse perineal muscles.
The perineal body, also referred to as the "central tendon of the perineum," is a fibromuscular structure located at the junction of the urogenital and anal triangles in the midline of the perineum. It helps strengthen the pelvic floor and provides attachments to muscles such as the bulbospongiosus, deep transverse perineal muscle, and compressor urethrae. The perineal body is critical for maintaining the integrity of the pelvic floor, especially in female individuals. It may rupture during vaginal delivery, potentially leading to a prolapse of the rectum, uterus, or urinary bladder.
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The perineal region extends from the skin to the pelvic floor
The perineum is a diamond-shaped space located below the pelvic diaphragm, forming the lowest region of the trunk. It is bounded anteriorly by the pubic arch and extends in a posterior direction from the lower branch of the pubis and the ischium to the ischial tuberosity and the sacrotuberous ligament. The perineum is situated between the buttocks and the medial surface of the thighs.
The perineum can be divided into two triangular regions by a transverse line passing through the ischial tuberosities. The posterior region, known as the anal triangle, contains the anal canal, anal sphincters, ischiorectal fossae, and the rectovaginal or prostate septum. The anal triangle is tilted downward and forward.
The anterior region, called the urogenital triangle, contains the external urogenital organs, superficial perineal fascia, anterior perineal muscles, and sphincters. The urogenital triangle is more complex in structure, with several fascial layers and pouches. It is tilted downward and backward.
The perineal body, also known as the central tendon of the perineum, is a fibromuscular structure located at the junction of the urogenital and anal triangles, forming the central point of the perineum. It is composed of collagen and elastic fibres, as well as skeletal and smooth muscle. The perineal body serves as an attachment point for various muscles, including the bulbospongiosus, deep transverse perineal muscle, and compressor urethrae. It plays a crucial role in strengthening the pelvic floor and maintaining its integrity, especially in female individuals.
In summary, the perineal region extends from the skin to the inferior fascial surface of the pelvic floor, encompassing the perineal body and the triangular divisions of the perineum, including the anal and urogenital triangles.
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The perineum receives innervation from the pudendal nerve
The perineum is a fibromuscular structure located in the midline of the body at the junction of the anus and urogenital triangle in both female and male individuals. The perineal region extends from the skin to the inferior fascial surface of the pelvic floor and occupies a median position between the buttocks and the medial surface of the thighs.
The pudendal nerve provides sensory information to the perineum and the labia in females, or the scrotum in males. It also controls the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter. The nerve is crucial for sensation and function in the pelvic region, including the genitals and anus. It sends movement (motor) and sensation information from the genital area to the brain.
The perineal nerve is a terminal branch of the pudendal nerve. It originates in the last portion of the pudendal canal or as the pudendal nerve exits the canal. The perineal nerve further divides into the deep (muscular) and superficial (cutaneous) perineal nerves. The superficial branch provides sensory input to the skin covering the urogenital triangle, the posterior scrotal area in males, and the labia minora, vaginal vestibule, and posterior labia majora in females.
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The perineal body serves as an attachment point for various muscles
The perineal body, also known as the central tendon of the perineum, is a fibromuscular structure located in the midline of the perineum. It is composed of collagen and elastic fibres, as well as skeletal and smooth muscle. The perineal body serves as a crucial attachment point for various muscles, helping to strengthen the pelvic floor and maintain its integrity.
In males, the perineal body is located between the anus and the bulb of the penis, while in females, it lies between the anus and the posterior limit of the vulvar orifice. This structure provides attachments to several muscles, including the bulbospongiosus, a striated muscle that adheres anterolaterally to the perineal body. The deep transverse perineal muscle adheres laterally to the perineal body in males, while the compressor urethrae adheres anteriorly in females.
The perineal body is also attached to the longitudinal anis muscle (LAM), which connects strongly anteriorly and anterolaterally. The superficial perineal fascia and the perineal membrane join the perineal body anteriorly, while the rectovaginal septum in females and the rectoprostatic septum in males attach superiorly. These attachments contribute to the stability and function of the pelvic floor.
Additionally, the perineal body serves as an attachment point for the external anal sphincter muscle and the external urethral sphincter muscle fibres. In females, the perineal body provides additional support, acting as a tear-resistant body between the vagina and the external anal sphincter, helping to prevent prolapse of the rectum, uterus, and urinary bladder.
The perineal region, which includes the perineal body and its associated muscles, extends from the skin to the inferior fascial surface of the pelvic floor. It occupies a median position between the buttocks and the medial surface of the thighs, receiving innervation from motoneurons in the nucleus of Onuf through branches of the pudendal nerve.
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Frequently asked questions
The perineal body, also known as the central tendon of the perineum, is a fibromuscular structure located at the central point of the perineum.
The perineum is a diamond-shaped space below the pelvic diaphragm and refers to the lowest region of the trunk.
The perineal body helps strengthen the pelvic floor and provides attachments to muscles such as the bulbospongiosus, deep transverse perineal muscle, and the compressor urethrae.
The perineal muscles are the anterior perineal muscles in the urogenital triangle and the external anal sphincter muscle in the anal triangle.
The urogenital triangle is the anterior half of the perineum, while the anal triangle is the posterior half. The urogenital triangle contains the external urogenital organs, while the anal triangle contains the terminal segment of the anal canal.




















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