The pelvic floor
Pelvic floor muscles (levator ani and coccygeus) · diaphragma pelvis
A hammock of muscle across the bottom of your pelvis that holds up your organs and controls when you go to the toilet.
What it does
The pelvic floor stretches from the pubic bone to the tailbone like a sling. It supports the bladder, bowel and, in women, the uterus. It keeps the openings of the bladder and bowel closed until you choose to relax them, and it tightens automatically when you cough or jump.
Surprising fact
The pelvic floor tightens a split second before a cough or sneeze, which is why a weak one can let a little urine escape when you laugh.
Why it matters
Pregnancy, childbirth, ageing and heavy straining can weaken it. Pelvic floor exercises, practised regularly, are among the most effective ways to prevent and treat leaks.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.