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Levator ani | |
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Details | |
Origin | Inner surface of the side of the lesser pelvis |
Insertion | Inner surface of coccyx, levator ani of opposite side, and into structures that penetrate it. |
Artery | Inferior gluteal artery |
Nerve | Pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus: |
Actions | Supports the viscera in pelvic cavity |
Identifiers | |
Latin | musculus levator ani |
TA98 | A04.5.04.002 |
TA2 | 2403 |
FMA | 19087 |
Anatomical terms of muscle |
The levator ani is a broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis. It is formed from three muscle components: the pubococcygeus, the iliococcygeus, and the puborectalis.[3]
It is attached to the inner surface of each side of the lesser pelvis, and these unite to form the greater part of the pelvic floor. The coccygeus muscle completes the pelvic floor, which is also called the pelvic diaphragm.
It supports the viscera in the pelvic cavity, and surrounds the various structures that pass through it.
The levator ani is the main pelvic floor muscle and contracts rhythmically during female orgasm, and painfully during vaginismus.[4]