PERINEAL FASCIA. 283 



Fig. 112.* 



margin of the great sacro-ischiatic ligament. Lying between these 

 two laj^ers of fascia is the levator ani muscle, which arises from their 

 angle of separation. The levator ani is covered in inferiorly by a 

 third layer of fascia, which is given off by the obturator fascia, and is 

 continued downwards upon the inferior surface of the muscle to the 

 extremity of the rectum, where it is lost. This layer may be named 

 from its position and inferior attachment the anal fascia. 



PERIXEAL FASCLE. In the perineum there are two fasciae of much 

 importance, the superficial and deep perineal fascia. 



The superficial perineal fascia is a thin aponeurotic layer, which 

 covers in the muscles of the genital portion of the perineum and the 

 root of the penis. It is firmly attached at each side to the ramus of 

 the os pubis and ischium; posteriorly it is reflected back wards beneath 

 the transversi perinei muscles to become connected with the deep 

 perineal fascia ; while anteriorly it is continuous with the dartos of 

 the scrotum. 



The deep perineal fascia ( Camper's ligament, triangular ligament) 



* A transverse section of the pelvis, shewing the distribution of the pelvic 

 fascia. 1. The bladder. 2. The vesicula seminalis of one side divided across. 

 3. The rectum. 4. The iliac fascia covering in the iliacus and psoas muscles 

 (5) ; and forming a sheath for the external iliac vessels (6). 7- The anterior 

 crural nerve excluded from the sheath. 8. The pelvic fascia. Q. Its ascending 

 layer, forming the lateral ligament of the bladder of one side, and a sheath to 

 the vesical plexus of veins. 10. The recto- vesical fascia of Mr. Tyrrell formed 

 by the middle layer. 1 1 . The inferior layer surrounding the rectum and meet- 

 ing at the middle line with the fascia of the opposite side. 12. The levator ani 

 muscle. 13. The obturator internus muscle, covered in by the obturator 

 fascia, which also forms a sheath for the internal pudic vessels and nerve (14). 

 15. The layer of fascia which invests the under surface of the levator ani muscle, 

 the anal fascia. 



