Puborectalis
Posted on 28th Jul 2020 / Published in: Hip
General information
The puborectalis muscle is a U-shaped sling muscle which travels from the bodies of the pubic bones, past the urogenital hiatus, and then around the anal canal.
Literal meaning
Straight muscle of the pubic area.
Interesting information
Some of the puborectalis muscles fibres form an additional U-shaped sling over the urethra in males and the urethra and vagina in females. This sling is essential in maintaining urinary continence, particularly during a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure for example, during sneezing.
Origin
Posterior surface of bodies of pubic bones.
Insertion
None (forms 'puborectal sling' posterior to rectum).
Function
Maintain faecal continence – during defecation this muscle relaxes.
Nerve supply
It is primarily supplied by nerve to levator ani (S4). To a small degree the pudendal nerve (S2-S4) contributes to its innervation as well.
Blood supply
Inferior gluteal, inferior vesical and pudendal arteries.
Relevant research
Failure of the puborectalis muscle to relax in the absence of a neurologic disorder has been attributed as a major cause of chronic severe constipation, which does not respond to laxatives or fibre supplementation.
Chapter 37 - Neuromuscular Physiology of the Pelvic Floor, Arnold Wald, in Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract (Fifth Edition), 2012.
Puborectalis exercises
None specific to this muscle.
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