Levator ani

Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.

Origin

Back of the pubis, a tendinous arch over the obturator internus, and the ischial spine

Insertion

Coccyx, the anococcygeal ligament and the perineal body; the puborectalis loops around the rectum

Action

Supports the pelvic organs and raises the pelvic floor; the puborectalis helps keep the rectum closed

Nerve supply

Nerve to levator ani (S4) and branches of the pudendal nerve (S2–S4)

The main sheet of the pelvic floor, made of the pubococcygeus, puborectalis and iliococcygeus. It holds up the pelvic organs and helps control urination and bowel movements; pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises train it.