| elevator muscle of anus | <anatomy> Formed by pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus muscles; origin, posterior body of pubis, tendinous arch of the levator ani, and spine of ischium; insertion, anococcygeal ligament, sides of the lower part of the sacrum and of coccyx; action, resists prolapsing forces and draws the anus upward following defecation; supports the pelvic viscera; nerve supply, nerve to levator ani (fourth sacral spinal nerve). Synonym: musculus levator ani, elevator muscle of anus. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| external sphincter muscle of anus | A fusiform ring of striated muscular fibres surrounding the anus, attached posteriorly to the coccyx and anteriorly to the central tendon of the perineum; it is subdivided, often indistinctly, into a subcutaneous part, a superficial part and a deep part for descriptive purposes. Synonym: musculus sphincter ani externus, external sphincter muscle of anus. (05 Mar 2000) |