The Role of Connective Tissue at the Level of the Pelvic Floor

I. INTRODUCTION The pelvic floor has to resist gravitational forces, and in this, the levator ani muscles and the fasciae play essential roles. Although the levator ani muscles and the bony structure provide space to accommodate pelvic viscerae, the fasciae glue the muscles, bone, and intrapelvic organs together, giving them mechanical strength. Histochemical and neurophysiological studies have provided evidence of partial denervation of the pelvic floor muscle and the striated urethral sphincter, which may be responsible for urinary and fecal incontinence as well as prolapse of the pelvic organs (1).