Anatomy · functional reading
Pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is a deep group of muscles and connective tissues located in the lower part of the pelvis. It contributes to the support of the pelvic organs, to sphincter function and to the mechanical coordination of the abdominopelvic complex.
Scientific basis
The pelvic floor includes, notably, the levator ani group and several associated muscular, fascial and connective structures. It is involved in pelvic organ support, continence, the management of changes in abdominopelvic pressure, and coordination with breathing, the trunk, the pelvis and the hips. It is therefore a deep functional system, to be distinguished from the perineum considered as an overall anatomical region.
Blue Portance / SBNFA™ reading
In the SBNFA™, the pelvic floor is viewed as a system that must be able to generate tension, relax, deform and coordinate with movements of the pelvis and hips. The capacity to alternate between different configurations matters more than seeking a permanent contraction or a fixed posture.
Contribution to the analysis of sitting
Sitting changes the distribution of support under the pelvis, the relative position of the hips and the organization of the abdominopelvic complex. A functional analysis therefore focuses on preserving degrees of freedom and on the possibility of changing configuration regularly.
Not to be confused with
Perineum, a broader anatomical region more directly related to the contact areas; perineal muscles, which make up only part of the pelvic floor.
Sources and scope
- Bharucha (2006): pelvic floor anatomy and function
- Ashton-Miller and DeLancey (2007): functional anatomy of the female pelvic floor
- Chermansky and Moalli (2015): role of the pelvic floor in urinary function
- Muro and Akita (2023): dynamic coordination of the pelvic and perineal muscles
This entry describes neither a diagnosis nor a therapeutic protocol.
Further reading
- Learn more — Article: Pudendal Neuralgia: Why Can a Simple Sitting Position Become an Ordeal?
