Anatomy of imbuilding

This article will help you better understand the anatomy of the muscles used in training and significantly improve your results.

The focus of our attention in this article will be the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles in a woman.

When compiling this article, we encountered one small difficulty: how to explain to the common reader something complex, technical or scientific. We see one way out here: use more pictures, comparisons, metaphors, figurative descriptions. Therefore, if you, dear reader, are well versed in muscles, and perhaps especially in the pelvic floor muscles, I ask you to be understanding of the simplicity of the presentation of the material.

As Stephen Hawking wrote in his book A Brief History of Time. From the big bang to black holes":

“I was told that every formula included in the book would halve the number of buyers. Then I decided to do without formulas altogether. True, in the end I still wrote one equation - the famous Einstein equation: E=mc^2. I hope it doesn't scare off half of my potential readers."

We will try to follow his example. Anatomy is very simple, much simpler than we were told in school, and it is much more interesting than pistils and stamens. And the anatomy of the pelvis is simply created to be of interest to you.

Pelvic floor muscles

Let's begin a more detailed examination of the anatomy of the pelvis with the pelvic floor muscles; their structure and principle of action are clearer to us, since they are similar to the actions of any muscle known to us: triceps, biceps, quadriceps, buttocks, etc.

The pelvic floor muscles consist of striated muscles and can be controlled by the effort of thought, therefore they can be trained and delight us with the opportunity to squeeze them at our request during sex, during exercise and other life activities.

Striated muscle is so named because when viewed under a light microscope, it appears as alternating dark and light stripes. Its peculiarity can be considered that it can contract and relax due to mental effort. This type of muscle consists of all the skeletal muscles in our body, which keep our body in balance, help us drag things and are the reason for going to the gym. All of them are attached by tendons to the bones according to the principle of a lever, that is, when they contract, they pull the bones towards each other.

Rice. 1. Intimate muscles

The pelvic floor muscles can be divided into two large parts: the superficial layer of the perineal muscles and the deep pelvic floor muscles. The figure shows their differences very well.

Rice. 2. Rear view

The superficial layer of the perineal muscles is a plane attached to the pubis, coccyx, and ischial tuberosities. They can be compared to a trampoline stretched at the bottom of the pelvis. It is almost impossible to control these muscles, just like a stretched trampoline, and we do not train them during training. But the superficial muscle layer includes two muscles that are very important for imbuilding training. These are the bulbospongiosus muscle (runs from the clitoris to the central tendon) and the sphinker anus (surrounds the anal canal).

Rice. 3 Superficial layer of perineal muscles

Both of these muscles take an active part in compressing the vaginal canal, the bulbospongiosus muscle directly, and the sphinker of the anus indirectly. We will train these muscles with the help of simulators designed to develop the pelvic floor muscles: Laser Trainer, Egg Trainer, Kegel Trainer.

In addition to the superficial layer of the perineal muscles, there is a deep layer of the pelvic muscles, also called the pelvic diaphragm. It can be compared to a tight sac that is attached to the pubis and pelvic bones, wrapping around the urogenital sinus (the opening for the vagina) and the rectum. There are two main muscles of the deep layer: levator ani - the levator ani muscle, consisting of the puborectalis, pubococcygeus muscles, iliococcygeus muscles, and the coccygeus muscle. The internal organs of the small pelvis are neatly and carefully located in this bag.

Rice. 4. Deep layer of pelvic muscles

The genitourinary sinus (not to be confused with the cosine from algebra) is a muscle-free opening corresponding to the junction of the urethra and vagina, also serving as a passage for the fetus. Unlike men, who do not have it, for women this place is a weak link in the structure that supports the internal organs of the small pelvis. That is why prolapse of internal organs is mainly a problem for women, not men (link to article about prolapse). If the muscle (levator ani muscle group) covering the urogenital sinus is weakened, then this becomes the cause of prolapse and incontinence.

Rice. 5. Urogenital sinus

To avoid this misfortune, we will try to attack it ourselves. The trainers mentioned above will help us with this for the development of the pelvic floor muscles: Laser Trainer, Egg Trainer, Kegel Trainer. With their help, we strengthen and strengthen the deep muscles of the pelvic floor, specifically the levator ani muscle group, thereby counteracting the effects of pressure from the internal organs. Also, when training with these simulators, the bulbospongiosus muscle, which compresses the vaginal canal, is strengthened.

I would like to note that since the deep muscles of the pelvic floor are like an elastic sac, the movement when they are compressed (contracted) is similar to the movement when you pull on one side of the sac while holding it with the other hand. That is, the main movement is directed obliquely, forward (toward the pubis) and upward. Therefore, when performing exercises, we retract, thereby squeezing (contracting) the deep muscles of the pelvic floor.

Vaginal muscles

The vaginal muscles are composed of smooth muscle and cannot be controlled consciously, but they can stretch significantly, which is very useful, especially during childbirth.

Smooth muscle is so called because it appears smooth under a microscope. Almost all the walls of internal organs consist of this type of muscle. It cannot be strained by willpower, since it is controlled not by the brain, but by the autonomic nervous system. An interesting property of smooth muscle for us is its great plasticity, that is, organs consisting of it can stretch very much with almost no tension. This can be compared to a balloon, which can inflate very well, and only with a very strong volume of air inside will it resist.

As mentioned above, they are composed of smooth muscles, so we cannot train them by consciously tensing them. We can only use the ability of these muscles to stretch and be elastic. The good news is that you can control the compression of the vaginal canal by increasing or decreasing intra-abdominal pressure, in the first case we will get compression, in the second - relaxation.

Rice. 6. Female muscles

Intra-abdominal pressure is created in the abdominal region, limited above by the respiratory diaphragm, below by the pelvic floor muscles, on the sides and in front by the transverse abdominal muscles, and behind by the back muscles.

Rice. 7. Abdomen

At the same time, straining the pelvic floor muscles, retracting the abdominal muscles, lowering the respiratory diaphragm, we increase intra-abdominal pressure, compressing the walls of the vaginal canal.

By retracting (squeezing) the pelvic floor muscles, relaxing the abdominal muscles, and raising the diaphragm, we create a vacuum in the abdominal area, reducing intra-abdominal pressure. At the same time, be sure to squeeze the pelvic floor muscles, otherwise air will be sucked in through the vagina, reducing the vacuum.

Compression of the vaginal canal is used mainly to massage the walls of the vaginal canal, and in sex, to more strongly compress the partner’s penis along the entire length of the vagina.

To practice this skill of managing intra-abdominal pressure, we need a Pneumatic Simulator. With its help, we will be able to receive feedback on the state of pressure inside the vagina. A very important feature of the Pneumatic Trainer is its ability to respond to ANY change in pressure, right or wrong. For example, if you squeeze your transverse abdominis and lower your diaphragm, but don't retract your pelvic floor muscles, it will show little pressure, although it will put a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor muscles. This is exactly what the process of prolapse looks like: the internal organs, due to gravity, put pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which in a relaxed state simply stretch down (remember the bag and the trampoline). This is why you should never exercise on a Pneumatic Trainer without strong pelvic floor muscles. We control the strength and correctness of the actions of the pelvic floor muscles using a Laser Trainer, and only after achieving certain results we move on to the Pneumatic Trainer.

Congratulations to everyone who made it to the end of the article, well done girls!!!

I hope, dear readers, now you understand the basics of what we do in imbilization training. The main point of this article is to understand that the pelvic floor muscles can be trained consciously by squeezing them just like regular muscles. The direction of movement when contracting the pelvic floor muscles, due to their special structure and shape, is upward and forward, so we focus on retracting these muscles.

The vaginal muscles cannot be trained consciously, but their compression can be controlled by intra-abdominal pressure, which changes with changes in the position of the diaphragm, tension in the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles. You can train the skill of managing intra-abdominal pressure only after significant strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles.

Knowledge of any theory is better learned in practice!

Material copied from the site www.secretfitness.ru.

With age, the pelvic muscles become weaker. This also applies to women who have already become mothers. The pelvic floor muscles form a kind of hammock at the base of the pelvis. It is attached to the pubic bone on one side and to the spine on the other. The urethra, intestines and uterus all pass through the pelvis. It is very important to pay special attention to the pelvic muscles. They tend to stretch quickly and can become a serious problem if not given proper attention.

The pelvic floor consists of three layers of muscles: the lower (outer) layer, the middle layer of the pelvic muscles, and the upper inner layer. All of them are directly related to the natural biological processes of emptying the bladder and intestines (maintaining the rectum and bladder in the correct position). They are also responsible for the fixed position of the organs in the pelvic cavity, and provide the necessary support during childbirth, and also play an important role during sexual intercourse.

The following factors can damage or weaken your pelvic floor muscles.

Childbirth. Problems with the pelvic floor muscles can arise not only after childbirth, but also during pregnancy. Repeated, instrumental births (using surgical forceps or a vacuum extractor), severe lacerations of the perineum, or a large fetus (weighing more than 4 kg) can cause serious damage to the pelvic floor muscles. If you are trying to recover from childbirth, you should not perform straight-legged squats or double-leg raises, as these exercises place a lot of pressure on the pelvis and back.

Excessive straining due to constipation - Chronic or repeated straining of the muscles when you go to the toilet (associated with constipation) can cause weakening of the pelvic muscles and lead to prolapse of the internal genital organs. Accordingly, it is extremely important to monitor the functioning of the digestive tract and systematic bowel movements that do not cause unnecessary stress and pain.

Spinal problems

Chronic cough and sneezing. Chronic cough, regardless of the cause (for example, asthma, bronchitis or smoker's cough) increases the risk of urinary incontinence and prolapse (prolapse of organs).

Excess weight - the more body weight, the higher the risk of problems with urinary incontinence and the greater the strain on the pelvis.

Lifting heavy weights can put a lot of pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which can ultimately lead to prolapse and organ prolapse. In this case, women in certain professions that require significant physical effort, and women who actively work out in gyms, especially when it comes to lifting weights, are at risk.

Women who participate in intense sports, such as basketball or running, are again at risk. This also applies to professional athletes.

With age, the pelvic floor muscles become significantly weaker, so it is extremely important to pay special attention to them by performing various exercises to strengthen them.

Strong pelvic muscles have a number of benefits:

1. Promotes urine retention.
2. Reduce the risk of sagging/loss of internal organs.
3. Supports the fetus during pregnancy.
4. Prepare for childbirth and promote speedy recovery after.
5. Increase sensitivity during sex.
6. Increase self-confidence and, accordingly, improve the quality of life.
7. Helps maintain the spine in an upright position.

How to correctly determine where exactly the pelvic floor muscles are located?
To begin, try to locate your pelvic muscles using one of the following methods:
1. Tighten the muscles around the vagina as hard as possible (lifting them up and down).
2. A quick and accurate way to recognize these muscles is to sharply retain urine during the urination process. However, you should not overuse this method, as this can lead to the opposite result - the problem of urinary retention. Once you have determined the correct location of the muscles, relax the muscles completely and make sure that you have completely emptied your bladder.
3. If you are not sure that you are exercising the right muscles, place 2 fingers into your vagina. You should feel a slight squeeze as you perform this muscle strengthening exercise.

Why is it so important to strengthen the pelvic muscles?

The organs of the reproductive system are located in the lower abdomen and are protected by the pelvic girdle. Regular work of the pelvis contributes to the formation of energy, development of flexibility and strength of the trained muscles. Women who have problems with urinary incontinence can significantly improve the situation by performing strengthening exercises daily. This also applies to pregnant women and women who have recently given birth.

Exercises for the pelvic floor muscles

1. A useful exercise for relaxing the inner thighs is the butterfly pose stretch. Most likely, you are already familiar with this exercise, but the correct technique is very important here. Sit on the floor on your buttocks, first stretch your legs forward and stretch slightly, then move your feet towards your buttocks. Bring your feet together and then pull them as close to you as possible. For a more effective stretch, you can bend forward.

2. The next stretching exercise is straight splits. Stand straight with your legs wide apart. Gradually move each leg slightly further away from your body. Try to get as low to the floor as possible (as far as your stretch allows). Stay in the lowest position for 10 seconds. After this, lower yourself back onto your buttocks and stand up again.

3. This type of stretch is called the eye of a needle. You will feel tension on the outside of your buttocks. Lie on your back with both legs in the air. Place one foot on the other thigh. Keep your straight (in this case lower) leg high in the air. Grab the back of your straight leg and pull it towards you. Repeat the exercise on both legs.

4. Pelvic stretch. Sit on the edge of a stable chair, legs apart, feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your hips just above your knees. Fingers look at themselves, elbows are turned forward. Lean forward, bend your elbows, and place the weight of your upper body on your hips. Open your upper body with your arms extended, palms up, lift your chest and lower your pelvis so that your sacrum is below your pubic bone. This exercise stretches the spine and relieves tension. It also strengthens the muscles of the lower abdomen, which are responsible for the correct position of the pelvis. Repeat these 2 movements several times and perform them as often as possible to increase mobility in the area.

5. Kegel exercises are the most common exercises designed for the pelvic floor muscles. Tighten and stretch the muscles around the anus, anterior passages, and vagina, then pull them in as far as possible. Stay in this position for a count of 8. After which you can relax your muscles. You should have a clear feeling of liberation. Repeat all exercises several times. For best results, hold the position after lifting the muscles. If you find it difficult to hold your muscles to the count of 8, try holding this position for as long as your strength allows. Perform 8–12 contractions.

1. Each muscle contraction implies a certain effort aimed at maximum compression. To strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, sit comfortably and perform muscle contractions 10–15 times in a row.

2. Try to contract only the pelvic muscles (if you feel that you are using the wrong muscle group - the abdomen, buttocks or thighs - relax the muscles and begin the tension again, this time using a contraction with less intensity).

3. Do not stop or hold your breath during muscle contraction.

4. With regular exercise, you can gradually increase the compression time by a few seconds. You can also gradually increase the number of repetitions you perform, but remember to pause between contractions. Maintain moderation - do not overexert yourself.

5. After each contraction, completely relax the muscles for at least 10 seconds.

6. Practice contracting muscles in various positions (upright, lying, sitting, on all fours, feet together/feet apart).

Details Updated: 05/11/2019 14:02 Published: 11/10/2013 08:58

Anastasia Listopadova

Where are the female pelvic floor muscles located?

Female pelvic organs

Normal pelvic anatomy in women

2 - bladder

3 - rectum

4 - pubic bone

5 - pelvic floor muscles (levators)

The uterus, bladder, and rectum have a separate entrance (sphincter). The sphincters pass through the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic organs have very elastic muscles that can contract and stretch greatly.

Female pelvic organs fit quite tightly to each other and are in a curved position. In this case, the uterus rests on the bladder, the bladder on the vagina. The rectum is supported by the coccyx. This position ensures stability and proper functioning of the pelvic organs. This support is especially needed when standing. If the correct position of one of the pelvic organs is violated, the entire interconnected system is disrupted, causing diseases of the pelvic organs.

Pelvic muscles

Pelvic floor is a group of muscles surrounding the floor of the pelvis. The pelvic floor has two layers of muscles

• superficial layer of fibrous muscle - called the perineum
• deep layer of large, dense muscles - the pelvic diaphragm

The fibrous muscles of the pelvic floor intertwine the three openings of the perineum and are directed from the inside out to the bones of the pelvis.

Pelvic muscles hold everything securely pelvic organs inside in an anatomically correct position. Stretched like a hammock from the bottom of the pelvis, the muscle layer (pubococcygeus muscle) consists of inner and outer layers of muscles, which together ensure the retention and normal functioning of the pelvic organs, and therefore women’s health. Along with the development and strengthening of the pelvic muscles, Kegel gymnastics also increases blood flow to the pelvic area, which stimulates increased cell renewal.

Like other muscles, the pelvic muscles can only be kept in good shape. through exercises performed regularly.

Weakened perineal and pelvic muscles can lead to problems such as urinary or fecal incontinence due to poor bowel or bladder control.

Weak pelvic muscles can also lead to a difficult birth, due to insufficient muscle activity during labor, a decrease in sexual desire and satisfaction from intimacy, prolapse of the uterus and vagina, and even prolapse of internal organs, causing many dysfunctions and diseases of the pelvic organs.

How to determine where the pelvic muscles are located

Where are the pelvic muscles located? clearly visible in the diagram below.

It is these muscles that are involved in Kegel exercises and other methods of training intimate muscles.

You can learn more about how to correctly independently determine where the pelvic floor muscles are located and whether the exercises are being performed correctly by following the link provided.

Vaginal muscles

The vagina is an elastic canal, an easily stretchable muscular tube that connects the vulva area and the uterus. The average length (depth) of the vagina is from 7 to 12 cm. The size of the vaginal canal for each woman may vary slightly.
The walls of the vaginal muscle consist of three layers: internal, middle (muscular) and external.

Vaginal muscles consist of smooth muscles. The muscle bundles are oriented mainly in the longitudinal direction, but there are also circular bundles. In the upper part, the muscles of the vagina pass into the muscles of the body of the uterus.

In the lower part of the vagina, the muscles become stronger, gradually intertwining with the muscles of the perineum.

The vaginal muscles, like any smooth muscles, cannot be controlled consciously, but at the same time, the vaginal muscles can be greatly stretched during labor.

You can control the compression of the muscles of the vaginal canal by changing the intra-abdominal pressure, increasing its strength we get compression, and decreasing it - relaxation.

Intra-abdominal pressure is created in the abdominal cavity, which is limited below by the pelvic floor muscles, above by the respiratory diaphragm, in front and sides by the transverse abdominal muscles, and behind by the back muscles.

If you simultaneously strain the pelvic floor muscles, lower the respiratory diaphragm and retract the abdominal muscles, the intra-abdominal pressure increases and the walls of the vaginal canal (vagina) compress.

The vaginal compression technique is used mainly during intimacy, to more strongly compress the partner’s penis along the entire length of the vagina, or to massage the walls of the vaginal canal.

How to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles

For the development of the pelvic floor muscles and the ability to control them, Kegel exercises, gymnastics for intimate muscles, wumbling/imbuilding and similar techniques are used.

To develop a skill intra-abdominal pressure management pneumatic vaginal simulators are used.

Similar materials

Kegel exercises for women - Help with uterine prolapse, urinary incontinence

The expression “weaker sex” appeared not because a woman is not able to carry heavy loads, but because of the problems that follow. Only from the point of view of anatomy, it would be more correct to call us not the weaker sex, but the “weak bottom.” Pelvic floor. In women, the pelvic diaphragm has an expansion around the cervix (see illustration). That is, the bladder, uterus, and ovaries do NOT have muscular support from below. While in men there is a tight connection between the muscles and the fascia, which is logical: they do not have a cervix and a continuation in the form of a vagina.
Not only this muscle hammock, but also the ligaments are responsible for ensuring that the organs are in their places and functioning normally. With their help, the uterus, tubes, ovaries and other assortment are attached to the pelvic bones.

To understand the difference between the properties of muscles and ligaments, imagine an inflatable balloon and a plastic bag: one is elastic and can stretch and contract, the other can only stretch.

Therefore, it is worth keeping in mind that Kegel exercises and other intimate muscle strengthening systems specifically target the muscles. They are not able to return the ligaments to their original length and strength.
As soon as the above supporting structure loses its elasticity, the process of prolapse of the internal organs, or prolapse, begins.

This is not fatal at all and not even a disease, but it can poison life. There is pain in the lower back, aching in the stomach or a feeling of heaviness there; it is more difficult to achieve orgasm, moreover, women may experience pain during sex.

By the way, air entering the vagina during intimacy or exercise is one of the signs that the pelvic floor muscles have begun to weaken (if this happens not only during ovulation, but throughout the entire cycle). The cycle is disrupted, difficulties arise in getting pregnant...
Gradually, due to displaced organs, urinary incontinence begins, as soon as you sneeze or cough. Another trouble is gas in the intestines and the possibility of not being able to keep it in at the wrong time. And vice versa, constipation torments me... Then something persistently gets in the way of the vagina, and in the last stages of prolapse the vagina falls out completely.
By the way, it is not customary to talk about this. In one of the links below, you can find an article that recognizes that women's health, all this discomfort, is a “culture of silence”...
Why does the omission occur? I think it all started when man, in the course of evolution, stood on two legs. Mammals walk on four limbs, and the load on their pelvic floor is distributed differently than in homo sapiens.

The medical literature names the following factors:

– congenital connective tissue dysplasia. Suspicion includes people with stretch marks on the skin, varicose veins, a tendency to bruise, diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle, as well as an umbilical hernia, and joint hypermobility.

- floor. From the anatomical information above, we know that in women the pelvic diaphragm is weakened in the anterior part. Therefore, our percentage of prolapse is higher than that of men.

– pregnancy and childbirth. This is again about women and here is pure physics: it’s one thing to hold a small uterus, it’s quite another to cope with the weight of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta by the ninth month... During childbirth, in order for the cervix to open, the muscles must stretch even more.

– obesity. Excess weight is not only fat under the skin, but also around internal organs, the so-called visceral fat. This is also an extra burden for the pelvic floor, and at least for this reason it is important to monitor your weight.

- sedentary lifestyle. The tissues lack nutrition and weaken.

– estrogen deficiency. It occurs, for example, as a result of “crazy drying” or during menopause. Without enough estrogen, our body tissues lose elasticity. According to various studies, in old age the incidence of genital prolapse in women occurs in 50-75% of cases.

– systematic increase in intra-abdominal pressure. It can be caused by chronic constipation, cough as a result of bronchitis or asthma, and regular physical stress from hard work and heavy lifting.

Learn more about intra-abdominal pressure.
We are designed in such a way that it doesn’t matter whether we carry a sack of potatoes or do a deadlift, it increases. Systematic work with heavy weights slowly but surely squeezes out the pelvic floor muscles and stretches the ligaments on which the organs are attached.

Carrying growing children in your arms also creates a risk of prolapse. In the study “The effects of walking speeds and carrying techniques on intra-abdominal pressure in women” (Coleman TJ, Hamad NM, Shaw JM, Egger and others), sensors were installed intravaginally in women. The devices recorded that walking speed and carrying the baby in one's arms makes significant changes in intra-abdominal pressure.

Just don’t ask me “So why not raise the children now?” - this is not a question for me, but for the Creator: he put us on two legs, gave us a weak diaphragm, organized childbirth and children, which we, unlike mammals, carry in our arms - where is the justice?
And is there a safe weight for women's health?

I asked this question to American physiotherapist Lynn Schulte, who also specializes in pelvic floor rehabilitation after childbirth. In her opinion, ideally, it is enough for a woman to work with her own weight, avoiding dumbbells and barbells altogether.

The author of the other version, about the fact that this is no more than 5 kg (+/-, depending on the individual characteristics of the woman), I could not find out. But this view is based on the fact that the pelvic floor muscles are able to withstand the weight of a growing child, amniotic fluid, and placenta during pregnancy, that is, around 5 kg.

And in another analysis, cervical prolapse was found in women of childbearing age whose work involved carrying weights of 20 kg or more, compared with a control group of light loads.

The pelvic floor in women is “shaken” not only by weights and abdominal swings, but also by types of physical activity where you have to run and jump. According to statistics, depending on the type of activity - basketball, athletics, etc., girls suffer from urinary incontinence to varying degrees. Moreover, those who play golf do not have this problem at all, but for those who practice trampolining, it goes through the roof - up to 80%.

This information is annoying: to suddenly find out that you are paving the way for pelvic floor dysfunction with your own hands, when you thought that you were leading a healthy lifestyle and arousing admiration for your athletic forms... As a defensive reaction, they give me the example of girls I know who work in the gym with weights, and they are all fine ok. I believe! Only the prolapse of internal organs is not an instant process, the likelihood and speed of its occurrence depends on a combination of several factors: the genetic strength of the connective tissue, the number of pregnancies, births and injuries in them, the load that falls on the body...

The moment of truth will be menopause, when our body's resources decrease. One of the many studies on the problem mentions that the prevalence of female organ prolapse will be even higher in the future due to the increase in women's life expectancy.
What to do with this information - each of us will decide for ourselves. When modern beauty standards are on one side of the scale, and women's health and comfortable aging are on the other, it is important to make an informed choice.

By the way, there are studies about this too: young nulliparous women were asked to evaluate their knowledge regarding the pelvic floor. A total of 93% of women were unaware of the structure of their own bodies and the risks of developing genital prolapse. Therefore, it is in our interests not to disdain information.

Taking care of women, Tatyana Gshvend for promama.info

The pelvic floor is made up of three layers of muscle covered by fascia.

I. The lower (outer) layer consists of muscles that converge in the tendon center of the perineum, the shape of the arrangement of these muscles resembles a figure eight suspended from the pelvic bones.

The bulbocavernosus muscle (m. bulbocavernosus) wraps around the entrance to the vagina, attaches to the tendon center and the clitoris: when contracted, this muscle compresses the vaginal entrance.

The ischiocavernosus muscle (m. ischiocavernosus) starts from the ischial tuberosity of the lower branch of the ischium and is attached to the clitoris.

The superficial transverse muscle of the perineum (m. transversus perinei superficialis) starts from the lower branch of the ischium and ends in the tendon center of the perineum.

The external anal sphincter (m. sphincter ani externus) is a muscle that compresses the terminal part of the rectum. Deep muscle bundles start from the top of the coccyx, wrap around the anus and end in the tendon center of the perineum.

II. The middle layer - the urogenital diaphragm (diaphragma urogenitale) - occupies the anterior half of the pelvic outlet. The urogenital diaphragm is a triangular muscular-fascial plate located under the symphysis, in the pubic arch. The urethra and vagina pass through this plate. In the anterior section of the urogenital diaphragm, muscle bundles surround the urethra and form its external sphincter; in the posterior section there are muscle bundles running in the transverse direction to the ischial tuberosities. This part of the urogenital diaphragm is called the deep transverse muscle of the perineum (i.e. transversus perinei profundus).

III. The upper (inner) layer is called the pelvic diaphragm (diaphragma pelvis). The pelvic diaphragm consists of a paired muscle that lifts the ani (m. levator ani). Both vastus levator ani muscles form a dome, the apex of which faces downwards and is attached to the lower part of the rectum (slightly above the anus).

The wide base of the dome faces upward and is attached to the inner surface of the walls of the pelvis. In the anterior section of the pelvic diaphragm, between the bundles of muscles that lift the ani, there is a longitudinally located gap through which the urethra and vagina (hiatus genitalis) exit the pelvis.