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Pelvic Floor Physiology: From Posterior Compartment to Perineal Body to Anterior Compartment

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Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Pelvic Surgery in the Elderly

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Abstract

The primary physiologic function of the posterior pelvic floor is bowel continence and evacuation. The muscles of the pelvic floor act as both a supportive base for the abdominal viscera and provide mechanisms for continence. The bony pelvis provides the attachments for these muscles that surround the external orifices. These muscles are innervated by both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Dysfunction of the pelvic floor contributes to morbidity and decreased quality of life in many patients, especially the geriatric population. Baseline pelvic floor muscle tone and neurologic integrity both play a role in the maintenance of fecal continence. In addition, there can be variation in the regulation of stool due to systemic disease, bowel motility, stool consistency, as well as cognitive and emotional factors. Understanding the anatomy, innervation, and reflexes of the pelvic floor and anal sphincters is the key to assessing disorders of continence and treating this patient population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, Balitmore, MD, USA

    Shane Svoboda & Daniel Galante

  2. Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Colorectal Surgery Program, Washington, DC, USA

    Brian L. Bello

  3. Division of Pelvic NeuroScience, Department of Surgery, The Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2401 W. Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA

    David A. Gordon

Authors
  1. Shane Svoboda
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  2. Daniel Galante
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  3. Brian L. Bello
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  4. David A. Gordon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David A. Gordon .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pelvic NeuroScience, Department of Surgery, The Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    David A. Gordon

  2. Sinai Center for Geriatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

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Svoboda, S., Galante, D., Bello, B.L., Gordon, D.A. (2017). Pelvic Floor Physiology: From Posterior Compartment to Perineal Body to Anterior Compartment. In: Gordon, D., Katlic, M. (eds) Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Pelvic Surgery in the Elderly. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6554-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6554-0_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6552-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6554-0

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