148 



ABDOMEN 



and the arcuate pubic ligament (O.T. sub-pubic) ; posteriorly, 

 the coccyx ; and on each side, from before backwards, the rami 

 of the pubis and ischium, the tuberosity of the ischium, and 

 the sacro-tuberous ligament (O.T. great sciatic). If they 

 now turn their attention to the subject before them they 

 can identify the extent and limits of the space without 

 difficulty. The sacro-tuberous ligament, however, is some- 

 what obscured, because it is covered by the glutseus maximus 

 muscle, but it can be felt if deep pressure is made in a line 

 between the ischial tuberosity and the coccyx (Figs. 74 

 and 75). 



FIG. 75. Body in Perineal Posture. 



In the undissected body, standing in the erect posture, the 

 superficial area of the perineum is very limited. It consists 

 merely of a narrow groove running forwards between the 

 the thighs from the coccyx towards the pubis. In the groove 

 lie the anus, which is the orifice of the anal canal, and the 

 roots of the scrotum and penis, whilst in the middle line a 

 cutaneous ridge called the median raphe of the perineum can 

 be seen. The raphe can be traced from the front of the 

 anus forwards over the scrotum and along the inferior surface 



