Perineum

Layers of the anal triangle (deep superficial)

Fascia Name Components
vs. space
F Pelvic diaphragm/deep fascia Superior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm
Levator ani
Coccygeus
F Inferior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm None
- Shared fascia of pelvic diaphragm
S Ischiorectal fossa Internal pudendal arteries and veins and pudendal nerves
- Fat filled space on either side of the anal opening - Enters through the lesser sciatic foramen, and runs through the pudendal
canal in lateral wall of the fossa
- Nerves branch from ventral rami S2-4, supplying levator ani, lower anal
canal, and sphincter. Branches into dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris.
- Internal pudendal artery branches from internal iliac artery
- Internal pudendal vein tributary of the internal iliac vein. Drains prostatic
venous plexus (these drain the penis and inferior rectal vessels)
External anal sphincter
- Internal anal sphincter lies within this
F Fatty superficial fascia None
- Thick, subcutaneous fat
- Structural function, acts as cushioning to allow movement of other
structures
F Skin None

Layers of the urogenital triangle (deep superficial)

Fascia Name Components
vs. space
F Pelvic diaphragm Superior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm
Levator ani
Coccygeus
F Inferior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm None
S Deep perineal space/urogenital diaphragm External urethral sphincter
Deep transverse perineal muscle
F Perineal membrane None
S Superior perineal space Bulbospongiosis
Superior transverse perineal muscle
Ischiocavernous muscle
Pudendal cleft (females only)/bulb of penis, cavernous bodies (males only)
F Superior fascia of skin None
F Skin None