Abstract:

Objective　To evaluate tomographic imaging in pelvic floor anatomy of nulliparous woman both at rest and during pelvic strain and discuss the clinical significance.　Methods　Thirty asymptomatic nulliparous volunteers were enrolled for 3D  sonography and dynamic MRI； all tomographic imagings were used to observe position and movement of pelvic organs and the shape of pelvic floors, and to measure the thickness of muscle 1ayers and the dimensions of the levator hiatus．Results　A normal pelvic floor could be demonstrated by tomographic image in the axial , coronary  and sagittal planes. Measurements of levator ani and the hiatal area was (8.2±1.8) mm and (11.82±2.25) cm2 at rest, respectively．Compared with the rest state, the bladder neck, cervix and the anorectus were lower during maximaI pelvic strain (the difference is 6.1±2.0、8.9±4.2and 14.9±6.1mm, respectively ).   Conclusions    Tomographic imaging can show the morphological characters of the pelvic floor both at rest and during pelvic strain and may be useful in the diagnosis of female pelvic floor disorders.

Key words: Pelvic floor, Anatomy, Ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging, Tomographic