Levator ani is the main muscle of the pelvic floor. It forms a funnel-shaped diaphragm in the pelvis between the lateral hip walls, the pubis anteriorly and the coccyx posteriorly. It is traversed by different structures in each sex:

• males:
• urethra
• anal canal
• females:
• urethra
• vagina
• anal canal

Often, levator ani is considered as several separate muscle parts:

• pubovaginalis
• coccygeus
• iliococcygeus
• pubococcygeus
• puborectalis

However they have common features:

• origin: from a tendinous arch between the pubis and ischial spine on the internal surface of the pelvis
• insertion:
• perineal body
• external wall of anal canal
• anococcygeal ligament
• coccyx

Levator ani has a crucial role in the maintenance of continence.