title: The anatomy of the pelvic floor.
abstract: The pelvic organs are suspended by the pelvic ligaments and supported by the levator ani muscles. Breaks in the connective tissue, and neuromuscular damage affecting the pelvic floor muscles cause pelvic organ prolapse. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound have begun to define the dynamics of the pelvic floor and document the specific tissue lesions involved in this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: DeLancey
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology*