title: Anatomy of pelvic floor dysfunction.
abstract: Normal physiologic function of the pelvic organs depends on the anatomic integrity and proper interaction among the pelvic structures, the pelvic floor support components, and the nervous system. Pelvic floor dysfunction includes urinary and anal incontinence; pelvic organ prolapse; and sexual, voiding, and defecatory dysfunction. Understanding the anatomy and proper interaction among the support components is essential to diagnose and treat pelvic floor dysfunction. The primary aim of this article is to provide an updated review of pelvic support anatomy with clinical correlations. In addition, surgical spaces of interest to the gynecologic surgeon and the course of the pelvic ureter are described. Several concepts reviewed in this article are derived and modified from a previous review of pelvic support anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 9032, USA. marlene.corton@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Marlene M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Corton
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery