Pelvic Floor Muscles
The muscles of the “pelvic floor” or “pelvic diaphragm” are the levator ani, and the coccygeus.
The levator ani is divided into two parts: the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus.
Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, primarily the pubococcygeus muscle. These exercises are usually done to decrease urinary incontinence or to help support the uterus, bladder or bowel.
Perineal Muscles
The muscles of the perineum are arranged in a superficial and deep layer.
The superficial perineal muscles include: the superficial transverse perineal, the bulbospongiosus, and the ischiocavernosus.
The deep perineal muscles include: the deep transverse perineal, the external urethral sphincter and the external anal sphincter.
In the middle of the perineum is a mass of fibrous tissue called the perineal body.
