The deep perineal pouch in the female contains which specific structures relevant to urinary continence?

• A External urethral sphincter and compressor urethrae and urethrovaginal sphincter (sphincter urethrovaginalis) ✓
• B Bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscles only
• C Bulbourethral glands and external urethral sphincter
• D Levator ani and coccygeus muscles

Explanation

The female deep perineal pouch contains the external urethral sphincter (rhabdosphincter, which compresses the urethra circumferentially), the compressor urethrae (compresses the urethra from anterolaterally), and the urethrovaginal sphincter (sphincter urethrovaginalis, which spans both the urethra and vagina). These three striated muscle components together constitute the continence mechanism. Damage during childbirth or pelvic surgery contributes to stress urinary incontinence. Bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus are in the superficial perineal pouch. Bulbourethral (Bartholin's) glands are in the deep pouch in males.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.