What are the two major components of the levator ani?

What are the two major components of the levator ani?

• A. Puborectalis and coccygeus
• B. Iliacus and psoas
• C. Coccygeus and piriformis
• D. Pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus

Answer: (D)

Pelvic floor support relies on the levator ani, which forms most of the pelvic diaphragm. The two major muscle masses that make up this group are the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus. The puborectalis is often described as part of the levator ani, forming a sling around the anorectal junction to help maintain the anorectal angle, but the primary bulk of the levator ani consists of pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. The coccygeus (ischiococcygeus) is a separate muscle and not counted among the main components of the levator ani. Therefore, the two main components are pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus.

Pelvic floor support relies on the levator ani, which forms most of the pelvic diaphragm. The two major muscle masses that make up this group are the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus. The puborectalis is often described as part of the levator ani, forming a sling around the anorectal junction to help maintain the anorectal angle, but the primary bulk of the levator ani consists of pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. The coccygeus (ischiococcygeus) is a separate muscle and not counted among the main components of the levator ani. Therefore, the two main components are pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus.