The deep perineal pouch (also deep perineal space) is a human anatomical term that refers to the space enclosed in part by the perineum

Perineum

In human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures...

, and located superior to the perineal membrane

Perineal membrane

The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane....

.

Structure

The deep perineal pouch is bordered inferiorly by the perineal membrane, also known as the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. It is bordered superiorly by the superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm. The deep pouch is now described as the region between the perineal membrane and pelvic diaphragm.

Contents

The deep perineal pouch contains:

• muscles
  • Deep transverse perineal muscle
  • External sphincter muscle of urethra
    External sphincter muscle of urethra
    External sphincter muscle of urethra can refer to:* external sphincter muscle of male urethra* external sphincter muscle of female urethra...
    
    
  • Compressor Urethrae Muscle
    External sphincter muscle of female urethra
    The external sphincter muscle of female urethra is a muscle which controls urination in women.The terms "urethrovaginal sphincter" is sometimes used to describe the component adjacent to the vagina...
    
    
  • Urethrovaginal Sphincter (female)
    External sphincter muscle of female urethra
    The external sphincter muscle of female urethra is a muscle which controls urination in women.The terms "urethrovaginal sphincter" is sometimes used to describe the component adjacent to the vagina...
    
    
• other
  • Membranous portion of the urethra (males) / proximal portion of urethra
    Urethra
    In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids out of the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis, and carries semen as well as urine...
    
     (females)
  • Bulbourethral gland
    Bulbourethral gland
    A bulbourethral gland, also called a Cowper's gland for anatomist William Cowper, is one of two small exocrine glands present in the reproductive system of human males...
    
     (males). (Note: The Bartholin gland is the female counterpart to the bulbourethral gland
    Bulbourethral gland
    A bulbourethral gland, also called a Cowper's gland for anatomist William Cowper, is one of two small exocrine glands present in the reproductive system of human males...
    
     in males, but it is located in the superficial perineal pouch
    Superficial perineal pouch
    The superficial perineal pouch is a compartment of the perineum.-Structure:The superficial perineal pouch is a fully enclosed compartment:* its inferior border is the perineal fascia...
    
    .)
  • Vagina
    Vagina
    The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
    
     (females)

"Urogenital diaphragm"

Older texts have asserted the existence of an "urogenital diaphragm

Urogenital diaphragm

Older texts have asserted the existence of an urogenital diaphragm, also called the triangular ligament, which was described as a layer of the pelvis that separates the deep perineal sac from the upper pelvis, lying between the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm and superior fascia of the...

", which was described as a layer of the pelvis

Pelvis

In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...

 that separates the deep perineal sac from the upper pelvis, lying between the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm and superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm

Superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm

The superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm is continuous with the obturator fascia and stretches across the pubic arch.If the obturator fascia be traced medially after leaving the Obturator internus muscle, it will be found attached by some of its deeper or anterior fibers to the inner margin...

.

External links

- "The Female Perineum: The Perineal Nerve" - "The Female Perineum - The Deep Perineal Pouch" - "The urinary bladder and the urethra as seen in a frontal section of the female pelvis." - "The Male Pelvis: The Prostate Gland"

• http://www.instantanatomy.net/abdomen/areas/perineum/mdeepperinealpouch.html