Your disection of the perineum begins with cleaning out
the fat from the ischiorectal fossa, which is medial to the ischial tuberosity and
sacrotuberous ligament. Before dissecting
the fossa it helps to fold some paper towels to form a tampon which can
be inserted into the anal canal. HINT: This serves two purposes including having something to push
against when dissecting this area!
As you remove the fat, look for the inferior rectal nerves and
arteries running toward the external anal sphincter muscles. NOTE: These nerves and arteries are small, but they are very important if you want to
have any social life.
Once you have cleaned the ischiorectal fossa, attempt to grasp the
urogenital diaphragm on either
side of the central tendon (perineal body) as shown in the model.
