Anatomy of the perineal body

Summary Detailed anatomy of the perineal body is described, with particular emphasis on the male because of the proximity of the urethra, which is important in perineal surgery. The perineal body, a fibromuscular mass, lies between the upper end of the anterior anal canal and the posterior portion of the urethral membrane and bulbocavernosus in the male, and between the upper half of the anterior anal wall and entire posterior portion of the vagina in the female. The female perineal body is much thicker and wider than that in the male, and compensates for the relatively weak and small single external sphincter anteriorty.