title: Pelvic floor anatomy and applied physiology.
abstract: Pelvic floor muscles have two major functions: they provide support or act as a floor for the abdominal viscera including the rectum; and they provide a constrictor or continence mechanism to the urethral, anal, and vaginal orifices (in females). This article discusses the relevance of pelvic floor to the anal opening and closure function, and discusses new findings with regards to the role of these muscles in the vaginal and urethra closure mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Floor Function and Disorder Group, Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, GI-111D, San Diego VA Health Care Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
authors.forename: Varuna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raizada
authors.forename: Ravinder K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mittal
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
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