Tendinous Arch of Levator Ani (Left) (Arcus tendineus musculi levatoris ani sinister)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The left tendinous arch of the levator ani is a dense, glistening condensation of the obturator fascia spanning along the lateral pelvic wall from the posterior surface of the pubis to the ischial spine. It serves as the primary linear line of origin for the iliococcygeus and pubococcygeus muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.
Clinical notes
Avulsion of the levator ani from its tendinous arch during operative vaginal delivery is a primary biomechanical cause of pelvic organ prolapse, treated by apical suspension surgery.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Tendinous Arch of Levator Ani (Left)?
The left tendinous arch of the levator ani is a dense, glistening condensation of the obturator fascia spanning along the lateral pelvic wall from the posterior surface of the pubis to the ischial spine. It serves as the primary linear line of origin for the iliococcygeus and pubococcygeus muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.
Why is the Tendinous Arch of Levator Ani (Left) clinically important?
Avulsion of the levator ani from its tendinous arch during operative vaginal delivery is a primary biomechanical cause of pelvic organ prolapse, treated by apical suspension surgery.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details