The superficial perineal pouch (also superficial perineal compartment/space/sac) is a compartment 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), includi ...
.
Structure
The superficial perineal pouch is an open compartment, due to the fact that anteriorly, the space communicates freely with the potential space lying between the superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall and the anterior abdominal muscles:
* its inferior border is the
fascia of Colles
The membranous layer of the superficial fascia of the perineum (Colles' fascia) is the deeper layer (membranous layer) of the superficial perineal fascia. It is thin, aponeurotic in structure, and of considerable strength, serving to bind down the ...
, the deeper
membranous layer
The membranous layer or stratum membranosum is the deepest layer of subcutaneous tissue. It is a fusion of fibres into a homogeneous layer below the adipose tissue, for example, superficial to muscular fascias.
It is considered a fascia by some s ...
of the
superficial perineal fascia
The subcutaneous tissue of perineum (or superficial perineal fascia) is a layer of subcutaneous tissue surrounding the region of the perineal body.
The superficial fascia of this region consists of two layers, superficial and deep.
* The superfi ...
that covers the inferior border of the muscles of the superficial perineal pouch. (The
fascia of perineum
The fascia of perineum (deep perineal fascia, superficial investing fascia of perineum or Gallaudet fascia) is the fascia which covers the muscles of the superficial perineal pouch. The muscles surrounded by the deep perineal fascia are the bulbos ...
is a
deep fascia
Deep fascia (or investing fascia) is a fascia, a layer of dense connective tissue that can surround individual muscles and groups of muscles to separate into fascial compartments.
This fibrous connective tissue interpenetrates and surrounds the m ...
that covers the superficial perineal muscles individually).
* its superior border is 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 ...
(inferior fascia of the
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 t ...
).
Contents
* Muscles
**
Ischiocavernosus muscle
The ischiocavernosus muscle (erectores penis ''or'' erector clitoridis in older texts) is a muscle just below the surface of the perineum, present in both men and women.
Structure
It arises by tendinous and fleshy fibers from the inner surface o ...
**
Bulbospongiosus muscle
The bulbospongiosus muscle (bulbocavernosus in older texts) is one of the superficial muscles of the perineum. It has a slightly different origin, insertion and function in males and females. In males, it covers the bulb of the penis. In femal ...
**
Superficial transverse perineal muscle
The transverse perineal muscles (transversus perinei) are the superficial and the deep transverse perineal muscles.
Superficial transverse perineal ...
* Erectile bodies
** Corpus cavernosum (
of penis and
of clitoris)
** Corpus spongiosum (
of penis)
* Vessels
**
Posterior scrotal arteries (males)/
Labial arteries (females)
** Artery to bulb (males)/vestibule (females)
**
Urethral artery
The urethral artery arises from the internal pudendal artery a branch of the internal iliac artery. The internal pudendal artery has numerous branches including the artery of the bulb of the penis immediately before the urethral and the dorsal ar ...
*Nerves
**
Posterior scrotal nerves
The posterior scrotal branches (in men) or posterior labial branches (in women) are two in number, medial and lateral. They are branches of the perineal nerve, which is itself a branch of the pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve arises from spinal r ...
(males)/
Posterior Labial nerves
The posterior labial nerves are branches of the pudendal nerve.
The counterparts in males are the posterior scrotal nerves.
See also
* Anterior labial nerves
The anterior labial nerves are branches of the ilioinguinal nerve. The nerves innervat ...
(females)
* Other
**
Crura of penis (males) /
Crura of clitoris (females)
**
Bulb of penis
Just before each crus of the penis meets its fellow, it presents a slight enlargement, which Georg Ludwig Kobelt named the bulb of the corpus cavernosum penis. The bulb of penis is also known as the urethral bulb.
The bulb is homologous to the v ...
(males) /
Bulb of vestibule
In female anatomy, the vestibular bulbs, bulbs of the vestibule or clitoral bulbs are two elongated masses of erectile tissue typically described as being situated on either side of the vaginal opening. They are united to each other in front by a ...
(females)
**
Bartholin's 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 ...
s (female)
**
Spongy urethra
The spongy urethra (cavernous portion of urethra, penile urethra) is the longest part of the male urethra, and is contained in the corpus spongiosum of the penis.
It is about 15 cm long, and extends from the termination of the membranous po ...
contained in the corpus spongiosum
Additional images
File:Gray403.png, Median sagittal section of male pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciæ.
Image:1116 Muscle of the Female Perineum.png, Muscles of female perineum.
See also
*
Deep perineal pouch
The deep perineal pouch (also deep perineal space) is the anatomic space enclosed in part by the perineum, and located superior to the perineal membrane.
Structure
The deep perineal pouch is bordered inferiorly by the perineal membrane, also kno ...
References
External links
* - "The Female Perineum: The Superficial Perineal Pouch"
*
Perineum
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