Superficial transverse perineal muscle

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 26 Oct 2021

The paired superficial transverse perineal muscles (TA: musculus transversus superficialis perinei) lie in the perineum and are important for stabilizing the perineal body.

Summary

  • originischial tuberosity
  • insertion: the fibers of each muscle meet in the midline at the perineal body and decussate to intertwine with their contralateral superficial transverse perineal muscle 2,3
  • innervationperineal nerve, a branch of the pudendal nerve
  • action: aid in the stability of the perineal body

For many years it was thought that each of the paired superficial transverse perineal muscles inserted into one side of the perineal body but in the 21st century it was shown that the anatomy of their fibers is more complex and they interlink at the perineal body with the fibers of their counterpart muscle on the other side. Indeed the muscles do not insert into the perineal body at all 2,3.

See also