Comparative study of female pelvic floor among undeformed high-resolution thin-sectional anatomical (visible human) images and MRI and ultrasound images.

Abstract

Using visible human, MRI and ultrasound images, we aim to provide an anatomical basis for the identification and diagnosis of pelvic floor structure and disease by ultrasound imaging. One Chinese visible human (CVH) image, one American visible human image, 9 MRI images of normal volunteers, and 40 ultrasound images of normal volunteers or pelvic organ prolapse patients were used. Pelvic organs, pelvic floor muscles, and the connective tissue in CVH, VHP, MRI, and ultrasound images were selected for comparative study. We successfully identified the boundary of the anal sphincter complex, including the subcutaneous, superficial, and deep parts of the external anal sphincter, conjoined longitudinal muscles and internal anal sphincter; the levator ani muscle (LAM), including the internal and external parts of the pubovisceral muscle and the superficial and deep parts of the puborectal muscle; the urethral sphincter complex, including the urethral sphincter proper and the urethral compressor; and the perineal body, the rectoperineal muscle and superficial transverse perineal muscle. We successfully recognized and studied the location, subdivisions, 2D morphology and spatial relationships of the LAM, anal sphincter complex, urethral sphincter complex and perineal body in ultrasound images, thereby helping sonologists or clinicians accurately identify pelvic floor muscles and supporting structures in ultrasound images.