Explain why strengthening the levator ani muscle may help improve bladder and bowel continence (voluntary control over urination and defecation).

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together which Levator ani group is crucial for maintaining fecal continent. The answer options are a Ileos B, Pubococcygeus C, puborectalis and D piriformis. So recall that the Levator ani muscle group is responsible for supporting pelvic viscera. It is made up of three muscles, the puborectalis, the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus. Option D, the Piriformis. This is not a muscle of the lebeta A N I group. So we can immediately eliminate it. The piriformis instead is located in the Buttock area. Now option A, the ileo coccygeus. This is a muscle that provides a secure acre point for the pelvic floor. It's not crucial for maintaining fecal continence. So we can also eliminate option A option B, pubococcygeus. This is the muscle that supports the vagina in females or the prostate in males. So we can also eliminate option B. The correct answer is the puborectalis muscle. This muscle works in association with the internal and external anal sphincter to maintain fecal continence. So the correct answer is option C puborectalis. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.