PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of the fossa ischioanalis (FI) in functional relations between the levator ani (LA) and gluteus maximus muscles (GM) in healthy female volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-three nulliparae were examined. Electromyogramms of LA and GM were simultaneously recorded during voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and at rest in six body positions. The surface areas of LA (LAA), FI (FIA) and GM (GMA) were evaluated using MRI. RESULTS: Simultaneous LA and GM contractions were electromyographically observed irrespectively of body position in 97.2 %. MRI revealed synchronous movement of all structures: while LAA (-7.4 %) reduced, GMA increased (+6.8 %), FIA changed significantly (+3.4 %). CONCLUSIONS: The LA, FI and GM are morphologically and functionally connected. We recommend considering these structures as the 'LFG-Complex', emphasising the importance of this unit for functional integration of the pelvic floor. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding of urinary continence mechanism and disorders after pelvic floor surgery and obstetrical trauma.
PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of the fossa ischioanalis (FI) in functional relations between the levator ani (LA) and gluteus maximus muscles (GM) in healthy female volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-three nulliparae were examined. Electromyogramms of LA and GM were simultaneously recorded during voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and at rest in six body positions. The surface areas of LA (LAA), FI (FIA) and GM (GMA) were evaluated using MRI. RESULTS: Simultaneous LA and GM contractions were electromyographically observed irrespectively of body position in 97.2 %. MRI revealed synchronous movement of all structures: while LAA (-7.4 %) reduced, GMA increased (+6.8 %), FIA changed significantly (+3.4 %). CONCLUSIONS: The LA, FI and GM are morphologically and functionally connected. We recommend considering these structures as the 'LFG-Complex', emphasising the importance of this unit for functional integration of the pelvic floor. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding of urinary continence mechanism and disorders after pelvic floor surgery and obstetrical trauma.
Authors: Daria Chmielewska; Magdalena Stania; Grzegorz Sobota; Krystyna Kwaśna; Edward Błaszczak; Jakub Taradaj; Grzegorz Juras Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2015-02-22 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Magdalena Ptak; Agnieszka Brodowska; Sylwester Ciećwież; Iwona Rotter Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-05-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Stefanie N Foster; Theresa M Spitznagle; Lori J Tuttle; Siobhan Sutcliffe; Karen Steger-May; Jerry L Lowder; Melanie R Meister; Chiara Ghetti; Jinli Wang; Michael J Mueller; Marcie Harris-Hayes Journal: J Womens Health Phys Therap Date: 2021 Jul-Sep
Authors: Tomasz Halski; Lucyna Słupska; Robert Dymarek; Janusz Bartnicki; Urszula Halska; Agata Król; Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz; Janusz Dembowski; Romuald Zdrojowy; Kuba Ptaszkowski Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2014-02-19 Impact factor: 3.411