Perineal Body

Abstract

The perineal body separates urogenital and anal hiatus. In the male it is situated between the rectum and urethra (prostate), i.e., between the posterior and anterior compartments. Within the region of the perineal body, the skin is firmly attached to the underlying connective tissue. This becomes obvious in macroscopic dissection as well as in histological sections. As can already be seen in early fetal life, the male’s perineal body consists of dense connective tissue (Fig. 14A). It does not possess its own musculature, but numerous muscles originate or insert within the dense perineal body. The external anal sphincter is attached to it dorsally and the deep transverse perineal muscle, including the bulbourethral glands, abut the ventral portion of the perineal body (Fig. 14B, C). As has already been pointed out above (see posterior compartment), the additional smooth rectal muscle bundles that are situated in the rectoprostatic fascia are integrated and attached to the connective tissue of the perineal body (Fig. 14D). Apart from muscular structures, the cavernous nerves come in close contact to the perineal body. They pass just above its intrapelvic side (Fig. 14E) when leaving the pelvic cavity beside the membranous part of the urethra.