perineum
The perineum (Latin, from ancient Greek περίνεος perineos , German 'dam' ; older Perinaeum ) or the dam is the region between the anus and the external genital organs in mammals . In men this is the region between the anus and scrotum (scrotum), in women it is between the anus and the posterior pubic cleft . The perineal suture ( raphe perinei ) lies in the median plane and continues into the scrotum suture in men . In addition to the covering skin , which is richly sensitively innervated, the perineum mainly consists of muscles that belong to the pelvic floor muscles . The muscles of the perineum are divided into muscles of the anal region and muscles of the urogenital region.
The perineum is the erogenous zone for both sexes . The innervation takes place mainly through branches of the pudendal nerve , beyond the participating nerve ilioinguinalis , genitofemoral nerve , posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh and anococcygei Nervi . In men, an erection can be increased by applying pressure to the perineum. When touched, the external anal sphincter muscle ( muscle sphincter ani externus ), the so-called perineal reflex, contracts .
Muscles of the female perineum (human)
Perineum of a woman
Muscles of the male perineum (human)
Perineum of a man
Diseases
A perineal hernia is a hernia (break) of the pelvic floor with a protrusion of the perineum. It is relatively common in uncastrated male domestic dogs . The break occurs either between the external sphincter ani muscle and the levator ani muscle or between the levator ani muscle and the coccygeus muscle .
A perineal tear is a more common birth injury. Therefore, a perineal incision is sometimes made as a preventive measure .
Perineum of a female domestic cat
Left-sided perineal hernia in a dog
See also
literature
- L. Richard Drake, Wayne Vogl, Adam WM Mitchell: Gray's Anatomy for Students with Studentconsult Access. 1st edition. Elsevier / Urban & Fischer, Munich a. a. 2007, ISBN 978-3-437-41231-8 .
