What Is the Meaning of Perineum?
The perineum is an extremely important, but often overlooked, area of the human anatomy. It is important in the process of childbirth, sexuality and defecation. Understanding what muscles are in the perennial region and how they function is essential to understanding several basic biological functions in the human body.
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Definition
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Appearing in both the male and female human anatomies, the perineum is a section of soft tissues and extremely elastic skin. On a female, this section of skin is found between the vulva and the anus. On a male, it is found between the scrotum and the anus. The perineum is the outlet of the pelvis. It is generally referred to as diamond-shaped and is sometime diagrammed as two triangles (the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle).
Muscle Group
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The perennial region includes several major muscle groups: the sphincter urethrae, the anal sphincter and the perennial muscles, as well as the connecting tendons and ligaments. This muscular area is about twice as long in males as females.
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Function
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The perineum muscles are involved in supporting correct elimination, since they must be relaxed for urination or defecation to occur. The perineum supports the abdominal and pelvic viscera muscles. These muscles are actively involved in childbirth, contracting to assist the child's movement down the birth canal. The skin of the perineum is home to many nerve endings, which means that it plays an extremely important role in sexual stimulation and excitement.
Surgery
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An episiotomy is a surgical procedure performed on the perineum. A cut is made in the perineum in order to make the birth canal wider. This allows the baby to move down the birth canal and be delivered more quickly. The procedure is designed to prevent the perineum from tearing in ways that might be more damaging than the small incision of an episiotomy.
Significance in Chinese Medicine
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The perineum is an extremely important point in Chinese medicine. It is the point where the Yin and Yang meet. This meeting point is thought to be where the conception vessel converges with the governing and penetrating vessels and exits the body. These "vessels" serve as the rivers of balance and power through the body, which makes the perineum an important area for acupuncture and acupressure treatment. Pregnant women are advised to avoid needle treatment in this area.
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References
- Photo Credit pregnancy image by Dor Sela from Fotolia.com
