Levatores ani

Levator ani
Left Levator ani seen from within.
Coronal section through the male anal canal. B. Cavity of urinary bladder V.D. Vas deferens. S.V. Seminal vesicle. R. Second part of rectum. A.C. Anal canal. L.A. Levator ani. I.S. Internal anal sphincter. E.S External anal sphincter.
Details
Origin	Inner surface of the side of the lesser pelvis
Insertion	Inner surface of coccyx, levator ani of opposite side, and into structures that penetrate it.
Artery	Inferior gluteal artery
Nerve	pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus: levator ani nerve (S4) inferior rectal nerve from pudendal nerve (S3, S4) coccygeal plexus puborectalis: S3, S4. levator ani nerve
Actions	Supports the viscera in pelvic cavity
Identifiers
Latin	Musculus levator ani
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12549567
TA	A04.5.04.002
FMA	19087
Anatomical terms of muscle []

Puborectalis muscle
The posterior aspect of the rectum exposed by removing the lower part of the sacrum and the coccyx. (Puborectalis not labeled, but levator ani labeled at bottom right, and external anal sphincter labeled at bottom center.)
Details
Origin	lower part of the pubic symphysis, superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm
Nerve	S3, S4. levator ani nerve
Actions	inhibit defecation
Identifiers
Latin	musculus puborectalis
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12550328
TA	A04.5.04.002
FMA	19087
Anatomical terms of muscle []

pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus:

puborectalis:

The levator ani is a broad, thin muscle, situated on either side of the pelvis. It is formed from three muscle components: the puborectalis, the pubococcygeus muscle (which includes the puborectalis) and the iliococcygeus muscle.

It is attached to the inner surface of each side of the lesser pelvis, and these unite to form the greater part of the pelvic floor. The coccygeus muscle completes the pelvic floor which is also called the pelvic diaphragm.

It supports the viscera in the pelvic cavity, and surrounds the various structures that pass through it.

The levator ani is the main pelvic floor muscle and contracts rhythmically during orgasm.

The levator ani is divided into three parts:

The iliococcygeus arises from the inner side of the ischium (the lower and back part of the hip bone) and from the posterior part of the tendinous arch of the obturator fascia, and is attached to the coccyx and anococcygeal body; it is usually thin, and may be absent, or be largely replaced by fibrous tissue. An accessory slip at its posterior part is sometimes named the iliosacralis.

The pubococcygeus muscle is then divided into three parts on its own.

The levator ani arises, in front, from the posterior surface of the superior pubic ramus lateral to the symphysis; behind, from the inner surface of the spine of the ischium; and between these two points, from the obturator fascia.