perineum

1. the region of the body between the anus and the genital organs, including some of the underlying structures 2. the nearly diamond-shaped surface of the human trunk between the thighs

Perineum

in man, the anatomical region that comprises the pelvic floor and is located between the apex of the coccyx posteriorly, the apex of the subpubic arch anteriorly, and the ischial tuberosities laterally.

In obstetrics, the perineum is the space between the anus and the posterior commissure of the labia majora. Its bony foundation includes the pelvic ischial tuberosities, the pubic bone, and the coccyx. The perineum also contains muscles, ligaments, fatty tissue, vessels, nerves, and some internal organs. Shaped like a rhombus, it is divided into two triangles by a line that joins the ischial tuberosities; the male urethra or the female urethra and vagina pass through the anterior urogenital triangle. The rectum passes through the posterior, or anal, triangle.

Injuries to the perineum can consist of closed or open wounds. They arise most often with fractures of the pelvic bone when there is a great displacement of fragments (indirect mechanism) or with a blow to the perineum (direct mechanism). On the average, 10 percent of all women suffer perineal ruptures during childbirth, most often with the birth of the first child. The most common diseases of the perineum are suppurative processes near the rectum upon injuries to the rectal mucosa. Surgery is required to treat injuries and suppurative diseases of the perineum.

perineum

[‚per·ə′nē·əm] (anatomy) The portion of the body included in the outlet of the pelvis, bounded in front by the pubic arch, behind by the coccyx and sacrotuberous ligaments, and at the sides by the tuberosities of the ischium. The region between the anus and the scrotum in the male, between the anus and the posterior commissure of the vulva in the female.

See perineum

perineum

[per″ĭ-ne´um] the pelvic floor and associated structures occupying the pelvic outlet, bounded anteriorly by the pubic symphysis, laterally by the ischial tuberosities, and posteriorly by the coccyx. During childbirth the perineum may be torn, resulting in possible damage to the urinary meatus and anal sphincter. To avoid a perineal tear, the obstetrician often cuts the perineum just before delivery and sutures the incision after delivery of the infant and the placenta. This procedure is called an episiotomy. Surgical repair of an episiotomy or of a torn or lacerated perineum is called perineorrhaphy.

per·i·ne·um

, pl.

per·i·ne·a

(per'i-nē'ŭm, -nē'ă), [TA] 1. Surface area between the thighs extending from the coccyx to the pubis that includes the anus posteriorly and the external genitalia anteriorly. 2. The compartment inferior to the pelvic diaphragm bounded peripherally by the osseofibrous structures comprising the pelvic outlet the surface of which is sense 1. 3. External surface of the central tendon of the perineum, lying between the vulva and the anus in the female and the scrotum and the anus in the male. [L. fr. G. perineon, perinaion]

perineum

(pĕr′ə-nē′əm)n. pl. peri·nea (-nē′ə) 1. The portion of the body in the pelvis occupied by urogenital passages and the rectum, bounded in front by the pubic arch, in the back by the coccyx, and laterally by part of the hipbone.2. The region between the scrotum and the anus in males, and between the posterior vulva junction and the anus in females.

per′i·ne′al (-nē′əl) adj.

perineum

The mucocutaneous tissue between the posterior scrotum or vagina and the anal sphincter.

per·i·ne·um

(per'i-nē'ŭm, -ă) [TA] 1. The area between the thighs extending from the coccyx to the pubis and lying below the pelvic diaphragm. 2. The external surface of the central tendon of the perineum, lying between the vulva and the anus in the female and the scrotum and the anus in the male. [L. fr. G. perineon, perinaion]

perineum

(per?i-ne'um) [Gr. perinaion] 1. The structures occupying the pelvic outlet and constituting the pelvic floor.

PERINEUM2. The external region between the vulva and anus in a female or between the scrotum and anus in a male. It is made up of skin, muscle, and fasciae. The muscles of the perineum are the anterior portion of the intact levator ani muscle and the transverse perineal muscle. See: illustration; perineal body

perineum

That part of the floor of the PELVIS that lies between the tops of the thighs. In the male, the perineum lies between the anus and the scrotum. In the female, it includes the external genitalia.

Perineum

The area between the opening of the vagina and the anus in a woman, or the area between the scrotum and the anus in a man.Mentioned in: Childbirth, Episiotomy, Penile Prostheses, Prostatitis, Vulvodynia

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Words related to perineum

noun the general region between the anus and the genital organs

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