The deep perineal pouch (also deep perineal space) is the

anatomic space {{set index article In anatomy, a spatium or anatomic space is a space (cavity or gap). Anatomic spaces are often landmarks to find other important structures. When they fill with gases (such as air) or liquids (such as blood) in pathological ways, ...

enclosed in part by the

perineum The perineum in humans is the space between the anus and scrotum in the male, or between the anus and the vulva in the female. The perineum is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tail bone), includi ...

, and located superior to the

perineal membrane The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane. It is the superior border of the su ...

Structure

The deep perineal pouch is bordered inferiorly by the perineal membrane, also known as the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. It is bordered superiorly by the

superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm Superior may refer to: *Superior (hierarchy), something which is higher in a hierarchical structure of any kind Places * Superior (proposed U.S. state), an unsuccessful proposal for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to form a separate state *Lak ...

. The deep pouch is now described as the region between the perineal membrane and the

pelvic diaphragm The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is composed of muscle fibers of the levator ani, the coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue which span the area underneath the pelvis. The pelvic diaphragm is a muscular partition formed by the le ...

.Netter, F., ''Atlas of Human Anatomy.''5th Ed. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2010.

The deep perineal pouch contains: * muscles ** Deep transverse perineal muscles **

External sphincter muscle of male urethra The external sphincter muscle of male urethra, also sphincter urethrae membranaceae, sphincter urethrae externus, surrounds the whole length of the membranous urethra, and is enclosed in the fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. Its external fiber ...

External sphincter muscle of female urethra The external sphincter muscle of female urethra is a muscle which controls urination in females. The muscle fibers arise on either side from the margin of the inferior ramus of the pubis. They are directed across the pubic arch in front of the ure ...

** Compressor urethrae muscle in the female is sometimes includedEssential Clinical Anatomy – 4th Edition. p.255 ** Urethrovaginal sphincter in the female is sometimes included * other **

Membranous urethra The membranous urethra or intermediate part of male urethra is the shortest, least dilatable, and, with the exception of the urinary meatus, the narrowest part of the urethra. It extends downward and forward, with a slight anterior concavity, be ...

in the male; proximal portion of

urethra The urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ''ourḗthrā'') is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body of both females and males. In human females and other primates, the urethra con ...

in the female ** Bulbourethral gland (males). The

Bartholin gland The Bartholin's glands (named after Caspar Bartholin the Younger; also called Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands) are two pea sized compound alveolar glandsManual of Obstetrics. (3rd ed.). Elsevier. pp. 1-16. . located slightly poster ...

, the female counterpart is in the superficial perineal pouch **

Vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...

(females)

"Urogenital diaphragm"

Older texts have asserted the existence of a "

urogenital diaphragm Older texts have asserted the existence of a urogenital diaphragm, also called the triangular ligament, which was described as a layer of the pelvis that separates the deep perineal sac from the upper pelvis, lying between the inferior fascia of ...

", which was described as a layer of the pelvis that separates the ''deep perineal sac'' from the upper pelvis. The deep perineal pouch lies between the

inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane. It is the superior border of the su ...

and

Additional images

File:male anatomy.png , Male anatomy File:Gray403.png, Median sagittal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciæ. File:Gray543.png , The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery.

References

External links

* – "The Female Perineum: The Perineal Nerve" * – "The Female Perineum – The Deep Perineal Pouch" * – "The urinary bladder and the urethra as seen in a frontal section of the female pelvis." * – "The Male Pelvis: The Prostate Gland" * () * * http://www.instantanatomy.net/abdomen/areas/perineum/mdeepperinealpouch.html {{Authority control Perineum

Structure

Contents

"Urogenital diaphragm"

Additional images

See also

References

External links