What is perineal body and its importance?
The perineal body is critical for maintaining the integrity of the pelvic floor, especially in females. The perineal body may rupture during vaginal delivery. Once this occurs, it leads to a widening of the gap between the free borders of the levator ani muscles on both sides.
What is attached to the perineal body?
The perineal body is attached to the vaginal introitus, as well as the posterior commissure labia majora. In addition to the other muscles of the deep perineal pouch, females also have the urethrovaginalis muscle that surrounds both the urethral and vaginal orifices.
What is perineal scan?
This is a scan of the pelvic floor using a hand-held probe or ‘transducer’ which is placed on the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus). This enables images to be taken of the bladder, urethra (water pipe), vagina, cervix, uterus (womb), perineum, anal canal, and pelvic floor muscles.
What are perineal structures?
The perineal body is a pyramidal structure that is located between the anus and vaginal outlet (Fig. 52.3). The bulbocavernosus muscles, the superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles, a portion of levator ani muscles, and the rectovaginal fascia are all inserted into the perineal body (2).
Do females have a perineum?
The female perineum is a diamond-shaped structure inferior to the pelvic diaphragm and between the symphysis pubis and coccyx. The perineum is divided into the anterior urogenital triangle and the pos- terior anal triangle; the vulva represents the external genitalia.
What does perineal care mean?
Perineal care involves washing the genital and rectal areas of the body. It should be done at least once a day during bed bath, shower, or tub bath. It is done more often when a patient is incontinent. This prevents infection, odors and irritation.
What is a perineum?
The perineum protects the pelvic floor muscles and the blood vessels that supply the genitals and urinary tract. The perineum also protects the nerves used to urinate or have an erection. In males, the perineum is the area between the anus and the scrotum.
Why is the perineum called taint?
Taint is a term used to refer to the perineum (the region of the human body between the genitalia and the anus). This term has no basis in medical terminology and is most often considered lewd and obscene. Taint is specific to males and females. It’s called a taint because t’aint your balls and t’aint your ass.
Do males have a perineum?
In males, the perineum is the area between the anus and the scrotum.
What are the important principles that you need to apply when doing perineal care?
How to perform perineal care
- Gather supplies.
- Provide privacy for the patient.
- Wash hands and put on gloves.
- With the patient on their back, instruct them to open their legs.
- Cleanse the perineum, using front to back motions.
- Never wash back to front; this causes contamination and can cause infections.