FEMALE PERINEUM 189 



Whilst cleaning the muscles secure the nerve twigs which 

 are given to them from the deep divisions of the perineal branch 

 of the pudendal nerve. 



M. Transversus Perinei Superficialis. The superficial 

 transverse perineal muscle has the same disposition as in the 

 male, but it is rare to find it so well marked in the female. 

 In most subjects its fibres are pale, and it is generally very 

 difficult to define. It is a slender fasciculus which takes 

 origin from the medial surface of the ramus of the ischium, 

 close to the tuberosity, and passes obliquely medially to its 

 insertion into the central point of the perineum. 



In the female the central point of the perineum is between 

 the posterior labial commissure and the anus. 



M. Ischio-cavernosus. The ischio-cavernosus is much 

 smaller than the corresponding muscle in the male. It arises 

 from the medial aspect of the ramus of the ischium close to 

 the tuberosity, and is inserted by a tendinous expansion on 

 the surface of the crus of the clitoris. 



M. Bulbo - cavernosus. The bulbo-cavernosus (O.T. 

 sphincter vagince) is a true sphincter muscle. It consists of two 

 halves, which are placed one on each side of the vestibule, 

 closely adapted to the surfaces of the two halves of the bulb 

 of the vestibule. Posteriorly the fibres of opposite sides unite 

 behind the vaginal opening, and are attached to the central 

 point of the perineum, some of the fibres intermixing with 

 those of the sphincter ani. Anteriorly the two portions of the 

 muscle become narrower, and, converging towards the middle 

 line, are attached to the sides of the clitoris. In some cases 

 a small fasciculus, on each side, may be observed to reach 

 the dorsum of the clitoris and there gain insertion into a 

 tendinous expansion which lies superficial to the dorsal 

 vein. That fasciculus is comparable to the anterior fibres 

 of the bulbo-cavernosus of the male, which embrace the 

 body of the penis (see p. 167). 



On each side of the urogenital area the three superficial 

 muscles of the perineum form the boundaries of a small 

 triangular area. The tip of the index finger should be placed 

 in the triangle and should be pushed upwards towards the 

 pelvis. The resistance which will be met with is caused by 

 the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm, which will be 

 investigated after the contents of the superficial pouch have 

 been examined. 





