Diaphragmatic part of the pelvic fascia

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Diaphragmatic part of the pelvic fascia
Coronal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciae. Viewed from behind.
Gray's	subject #119 421

The diaphragmatic part of the pelvic fascia covers both surfaces of the Levatores ani.

The inferior layer is known as the anal fascia; it is attached above to the obturator fascia along the line of origin of the Levator ani, while below it is continuous with the superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm, and with the fascia on the Sphincter ani internus.

The layer covering the upper surface of the pelvic diaphragm follows, above, the line of origin of the Levator ani and is therefore somewhat variable.

In front it is attached to the back of the symphysis pubis about 2 cm. above its lower border.

It can then be traced laterally across the back of the superior ramus of the pubis for a distance of about 1.25 cm., when it reaches the obturator fascia.

It is attached to this fascia along a line which pursues a somewhat irregular course to the spine of the ischium.

The irregularity of this line is due to the fact that the origin of the Levator ani, which in lower forms is from the pelvic brim, is in man lower down, on the obturator fascia.

Tendinous fibers of origin of the muscle are therefore often found extending up toward, and in some cases reaching, the pelvic brim, and on these the fascia is carried.

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.