The ischioanal fossa (formerly called ischiorectal fossa) is the fat-filled wedge-shaped space located lateral to the anal canal and inferior to the
pelvic diaphragm. It is somewhat prismatic in shape, with its base directed to the surface of 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), inclu ...
and its apex at the line of meeting of the
obturator
Obturator may refer to:
Medicine
Anatomical structures
* Obturator foramen
* Obturator fascia
* Obturator canal
* Obturator vessels (disambiguation)
** Obturator artery
** Obturator veins
* Obturator nerve
** Anterior branch of obturator ...
and
anal fasciae.
Boundaries
It has the following boundaries:
[ - Ischiorectal fossa is colored yellow]
Contents
The contents include:
* Inside
Alcock's canal, on the lateral wall
**
internal pudendal artery
The internal pudendal artery is one of the three pudendal arteries. It branches off the internal iliac artery, and provides blood to the external genitalia.
Structure
The internal pudendal artery is the terminal branch of the anterior trunk ...
**
internal pudendal vein
The internal pudendal veins (internal pudic veins) are a set of veins in the pelvis. They are the venae comitantes of the internal pudendal artery. Internal pudendal veins are enclosed by pudendal canal, with internal pudendal artery and puden ...
**
pudendal nerve
The pudendal nerve is the main nerve of the perineum. It carries sensation from the external genitalia of both sexes and the skin around the anus and perineum, as well as the motor supply to various pelvic muscles, including the male or ...
* Outside Alcock's canal, crossing the space transversely
**
inferior rectal artery
**
inferior rectal veins
**
inferior anal nerves
** fatty tissue across which numerous fibrous bands extend from side to side allows distension of the anal canal during defecation
See also
*
Anal triangle
The anal triangle is the posterior part of the perineum. It contains the anal canal.
Structure
The anal triangle can be defined either by its vertices or its sides.
* ''Vertices''
** one vertex at the coccyx bone
** the two ischial tuberosities ...
References
Additional images
File:Gray407.png, Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front.
File:Gray542.png, The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery.
External links
*
* - "The Female Perineum: The Ischioanal Fossa"
*
*
* (, )
Diagramat
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1836 as "Emory College" by the Methodist Episcopal Church and named in honor of Methodist bishop John Emory, Emory is the second-oldest private institution of h ...
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Perineum