Pelvic Relaxation-Anatomical Considerations

The anatomy of the pelvic floor and anal canal, although nicely illustrated in most texts on anatomy, is actually poorly understood. The confusion has resulted in multiple interpretations of basic morphology. Most simply, the pelvic floor is responsible for continence and for defecation, but alterations in either lead to complex and confusing presentations in an ever increasing number of patients. In this article, we detail the anatomy as we best understand it and relate form to the primary function of the area, maintaining continence and facilitating defecation.