An obstetrician performs a median episiotomy on a woman before parturition to prevent uncontrolled tearing. If the perineal body is damaged, the function of which of the following muscles might be impaired?
(A) Ischiocavernosus and sphincter urethrae
(B) Deep transverse perineal and obturator
internus
© Bulbospongiosus and superfi cial transverse
perineal
(D) External anal sphincter and sphincter
urethrae
(E) Bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus
The answer is C. The perineal body (central tendon of the perineum) is a fi bromuscular
node at the center of the perineum. It provides attachment for the bulbospongiosus, the
superfi cial and deep transverse perineal muscles, and the sphincter ani externus muscles.
Other muscles (ischiocavernosus, sphincter urethrae, and obturator internus) are not
attached to the perineal body.