The Nature and Aim of Investigations on the Structural Anatomy of the Female Pelvic Floor

I. The Aim of Structural Anatomy.?This necessitates, in the first place, a definition of what we mean by the term " Pelvic Floor." As the structural anatomy has its special bearing on the functions of the pelvic floor, it is to be defined so as to satisfy clinical and not dissectional requirements. The abdominal cavity has its inner aspect defined by peritoneum, and therefore I would define the upper aspect of the clinical pelvic floor by the peritoneum covering it, the uterus and appendages being removed of course. For similar clinical reasons the skin of the genitals and parte adjacent define its outer aspect. This gives the pelvic floor the obstetrician has to deal with.