Male Perineum

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Male Perineum Overview - The Southern Frontier

  • Diamond-shaped region inferior to the pelvic diaphragm, situated between the proximal thighs.
  • Boundaries:
    • Anterior: Pubic symphysis.
    • Posterior: Tip of the coccyx.
    • Anterolateral: Ischiopubic rami.
    • Posterolateral: Sacrotuberous ligaments.
    • Roof: Pelvic diaphragm (Levator ani and Coccygeus muscles).
    • Floor: Skin and perineal fascia.
  • An imaginary transverse line joining the anterior parts of ischial tuberosities divides it into:
    • Urogenital triangle (anterior).
    • Anal triangle (posterior). Male perineum boundaries and triangles, inferior view

⭐ The perineal body (central tendon of the perineum) is a key fibromuscular structure located at the midpoint of the line joining the ischial tuberosities, providing crucial support to pelvic viscera.

Urogenital Triangle - Plumbing & Support

  • Anterior perineum; borders: pubic symphysis, ischiopubic rami, ischial tuberosities.
  • Layers & Contents (Superficial to Deep):
    1. Skin & Colles' Fascia (continuous with Scarpa's fascia of abdomen).
    2. Superficial Perineal Pouch (SPP):
      • Muscles: Ischiocavernosus, Bulbospongiosus, Superficial Transverse Perineal.
      • Erectile Tissues: Crura & Bulb of penis.
      • Neurovasculature: Perineal branches (internal pudendal a. & n.).
    3. Perineal Membrane (PM):
      • Thick fascial sheet; pierced by urethra & neurovasculature.
    4. Deep Perineal Pouch (DPP):
      • Muscles: Deep Transverse Perineal, External Urethral Sphincter.
      • Glands: Bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands.
      • Neurovasculature: Dorsal n. of penis, internal pudendal vessels.
  • Key Support: Perineal body (central tendon of perineum).
  • Plumbing: Urethra (membranous & spongy parts), Root of penis. Male Perineum Layers and Contents

⭐ Straddle injury can rupture the bulbous urethra; urine extravasates into the superficial perineal pouch, scrotum, penis, and anterior abdominal wall (limited by Colles' fascia attachments).

Anal Triangle - Exit Strategy

  • Boundaries: Posterior perineum; apex: coccyx; base: line between ischial tuberosities; sides: sacrotuberous ligaments.
  • Key Structure: Anal canal & anus.
    • Sphincters:
      • Internal (IAS): Smooth muscle, involuntary.
      • External (EAS): Skeletal muscle, voluntary (inferior rectal nerve from pudendal N.).
  • Ischioanal Fossa: Paired, wedge-shaped spaces lateral to anal canal.
    • Contents: Fat (for anal distension), inferior rectal nerves & vessels.
    • Clinical: Common site for ischioanal abscesses. Coronal view of male anal triangle
  • Pudendal Canal (Alcock's): In obturator internus fascia (lateral wall of ischioanal fossa).
    • Transmits: Pudendal nerve (S2-S4), internal pudendal artery & vein.

    ⭐ Pudendal nerve (S2, S3, S4) is crucial for EAS motor control and perianal sensation.

Perineal Neurovasculature - Power & Lines

  • Core Supply:
    • Nerve: Pudendal N. (from S2,S3,S4 ventral rami).
    • Artery: Internal Pudendal A. (branch of Internal Iliac A.).
    • Vein: Internal Pudendal V. (drains to Internal Iliac V.).
  • Path: Travels through the Pudendal (Alcock's) Canal.

    ⭐ Pudendal nerve block: Anesthetic is injected near the ischial spine to block the pudendal nerve. This is crucial for pain relief in obstetric procedures and surgeries in the perineal region.

  • Main Branches (Nerve & Artery typically paired):
    • Inferior Rectal N/A: Supplies external anal sphincter & perianal skin.
    • Perineal N/A:
      • Superficial br: Posterior scrotal N/A (sensory to posterior scrotum).
      • Deep br: Muscular branches to urogenital (UG) triangle muscles (e.g., bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus).
    • Dorsal N/A of Penis: Sensory to penis skin & glans; Deep Artery of Penis (branch of internal pudendal A.) supplies corpora cavernosa. 📌 Mnemonic (Pudendal Nerve roots): "Sex 2, 3, 4 keeps the penis off the floor."

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Pudendal nerve (S2-S4): chief nerve supply to the perineum.
  • Perineum: divided into anterior urogenital triangle & posterior anal triangle.
  • Colles' fascia: continuous with abdominal Scarpa's fascia; limits urine extravasation.
  • Perineal body: central fibromuscular hub, crucial for pelvic floor support.
  • Superficial perineal pouch: contains roots of penis (crura, bulb), ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus muscles.
  • Deep perineal pouch: houses membranous urethra, external urethral sphincter, bulbourethral glands.
  • Ischioanal fossa: fat-filled space lateral to anal canal, common site for abscesses.

Practice Questions: Male Perineum

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Injury to which of the following muscles that forms the deep support of the perineal body causes cystocele, enterocele and urethral descent?

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Flashcards: Male Perineum

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The _____ and penile urethra are at risk of damage with perineal straddle injuries

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The _____ and penile urethra are at risk of damage with perineal straddle injuries

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