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Functional Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor

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Imaging Pelvic Floor Disorders

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence are debilitating problems that prevent one in nine women from enjoying a full and active life (Olsen et al. 1997). They arise due to injuries and deterioration of the muscles, nerves and connective tissue that support and control normal pelvic organ function. Although it is clear that incontinence and prolapse increase with age (Olsen et al. 1997), there is no hour during a woman’s life when these structures are more vulnerable than during the time a woman delivers a child. Vaginal birth confers a 4- to 11-fold increase in risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse (Mant et al. 1997).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L 4000 Women’s Hospital, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0276, USA

    J. O. L. DeLancey MD (Norman F. Miller Professor of Gynecology)

Authors
  1. J. O. L. DeLancey MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mark’s Hospital, Northwick Park, HA1 3UJ, Harrow, Middx., UK

    Clive I. Bartram FRCS, FRCP, FRCR (Consultant Radiologist, Professor of Gastrointestinal Radiology) (Consultant Radiologist, Professor of Gastrointestinal Radiology)

  2. Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, UK

    Clive I. Bartram FRCS, FRCP, FRCR (Consultant Radiologist, Professor of Gastrointestinal Radiology) (Consultant Radiologist, Professor of Gastrointestinal Radiology)

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L 4000 Women’s Hospital, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., 48109-0276, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    John O. L. DeLancey MD (Norman F. Miller Professor of Gynecology) (Norman F. Miller Professor of Gynecology)

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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DeLancey, J.O.L. (2003). Functional Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor. In: Bartram, C.I., DeLancey, J.O.L. (eds) Imaging Pelvic Floor Disorders. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-05206-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-05206-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-05208-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-05206-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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