FASCLE AND MUSCLES. 



front of the Compressor urethrse. Origin; pubic ramus. In- 

 sertion; median raphe in front of urethra. [437] 



Fascice and Muscles of Pelvis. 



Fascia. The parietal pelvic fascia is a cylindrical mem- 

 brane which lines the pelvic wall, and acts as an aponeurosis 

 for the muscles. It is attached above to the sacral promon- 

 tory, ilio-pectineal line, and back of the pubis; below to the 

 coccyx, great sacro-sciatic ligament, tuber ischii, and base of 

 the triangular ligament; and on each side to the ischial spine. 

 It is divided into the pyriformis fascia behind, obturator fascia 

 laterally, and posterior layer of the triangular ligament in front. 

 It is deficient at the obturator groove. A thickened band 

 (white line) of it extends from the back of the pubis to the 

 ischial spine. [438] 



The visceral pelvic fascia is a secondary sheet which springs 

 from the white line and arches downward and inward to the 

 viscera. Posteriorly this is thin as it passes from the lower 

 sacral vertebrae to the rectum. Anteriorly it runs from the 

 pubis to the neck of the bladder and prostate, forming two 

 folds (pubo-prostatic ligaments) with a hollow (cavum Retzii) 

 between them. Laterally (recto-vesical layer) it is divisible 

 into three parts vesical, rectal, and between these the recto- 

 vesical layer which passes between the rectum and bladder and 

 encloses the seminal vesicles and vas deferens. It is separated 

 from the peritoneum by the extra-peritoneal tissue, and is con- 

 tinuous mesially with the fibrous coats of the rectum and blad- 

 der, enclosing the prostate. [439] 



In the female it envelops the neck of the bladder, vagina, and 

 uterus. [439] 



Levator Ani. Origin; back of body of pubis ; parietal pel- 

 vic fascia along or above white line; ischial spine. Course; 

 downward and inward under visceral pelvic fascia and pelvic 

 viscera. Insertion; central point of perineum; External 

 sphincter around anus and ano-coccygeal raphe; sides of 



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