Ischiocavernosus Male & Female
Ischiocavernosus is a muscle in the perineum that both men and women possess. This muscle connects the hip bone’s ischium to the penis or clitoris crura in men and women, respectively.
- Ischiocavernosus originates from the medial ischial tuberosity and anterior ischial ramus in men. It attaches to the aponeurosis that lies over both the lateral and medial sides of the crus penis. Its function is to promote erection maintenance.
- Female ischiocavernosus inserts into the clitoris crura. It also retards venous return to erect the clitoris.
It is one of the three perineal muscles that make up the superficial group, the others being the bulbospongiosus and the superficial transverse perineal muscles. Perineum is a pelvic region. It is situated in the middle of the thighs and is the lowest point of the pelvic outlet. The pelvic floor separates the perineum superiorly from the pelvic cavity.
The perineum comprises structures that provide support for both the urogenital and digestive systems; as a result, it plays a vital part in functions like urinating, defecating, sexual activity, and giving birth.
Ischiocavernosus Function
The superficial transverse perineal and bulbospongiosus muscles, which make up the other two superficial perineal muscles in the urogenital triangle of the perineum, are closely connected to the ischiocavernosus. These muscles come together to form a triangle that is lined by adipose tissue. Ischiocavernosus is situated in front of the superficial transverse perineal muscle’s attachments in both sexes.
When the ischiocavernosus muscle contracts, it presses on the crura of the penis and clitoris, which causes the blood flow to be redirected away from the organ’s roots and into its distal regions. Ischiocavernosus also compresses the nearby veins that drain the penis/clitoris, limiting venous outflow. This larger collection of venous blood helps to keep the penis and clitoris turgid and stretched during sexual desire and intercourse. In males, the ischiocavernosus also stabilizes the penis when it is completely erect.
Ischiocavernosus Origin
Ischiocavernosus develops from the medial portion of the hip bone’s ischial tuberosity and ischial ramus. Muscle fibers migrate anteriorly via the medial ischial ramus to the penis and clitoris crura.
This muscle aids in maintaining and stabilizing the erect penis in men by compressing the penis’s crus. In females, it functions similarly to the bulbospongiosus muscle in maintaining a clitoral erection.
Ischiocavernosus Pain
In females, sensitivity or soreness in the muscles close to the vagina is referred to as ischiocavernosus muscle pain. These muscles, as well as others, are essential for sexual function but can get strained from overuse or trauma. Mild pain medication, stretching exercises, and bed rest are all potential treatments for this pain.
Several things, including stress and injuries sustained during labor, surgery, or sexual assault, might trigger discomfort in the ischiocavernosus muscle. Chronic menstrual cramps can also cause these muscles to hold onto tension for an extended period, which over time can be uncomfortable.
Pain in the ischiocavernosus muscle in both sexes is often treated by making changes to the way of living, like doing yoga, meditating, or practicing mindfulness. These things help to deal with stress, which can raise muscle tension. Exercises for the pelvic floor in physical therapy, such as Kegels, can ease this tension by activating the muscles frequently, which lowers the stress hormones that produce tighter contractions and gradually makes them less tense. Muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, and topical lidocaine can relieve severe muscle discomfort.
Ischiocavernosus vs Ischiococcygeus
The pelvic floor has fibrous-muscular diaphragms (pelvic and urogenital).
The coccygeus is a fibrous muscle tissue sheet that is located in the pelvis. It, along with the levator ani, creates the pelvic diaphragm, which forms the inferior wall of the actual pelvis. This muscle is sometimes referred to as coccygeus and sometimes as ischiococcygeus; it is always considered to be a component of the levator ani.
The Ischiocavernosus, on the other hand, is a perineal muscle that is located in the urogenital triangle’s superficial perineal area. The crus penis is covered by the Ischiocavernosus (Erector penis). It’s a lengthy muscle on the perineum’s lateral border. The ischiocavernosus receives its supply of nerve endings from the deep branch of the perineal nerve, a branch of the pudendal nerve.