Pubococcygeus Muscle Location

Both men and women have the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle (musculus pubococcygeus); it is a banana-shaped muscle, which extends from the pubic bone to the tailbone and forms the base of the pelvic cavity. Its main functions include supporting the pelvic organs, controlling urine flow, providing proper positioning of a baby’s head during childbirth, and contracting during orgasm.

Scientifically, the pubococcygeus begins at the rear of the pubis and the anterior portion of the abturator fascia; it travels back horizontally parallel with the anal canal to the coccyx and sacrum, where it connects. Where the vertebral column ends, at the anus, the two pubococcygei muscles join, forming a broad fibromuscular layer upon the raphé (anococcygeal raphé), formed by the iliococcygei. Generally, the larger section of the muscle enters the coccyx as well as the final sections of the sacrum.

The name of the specific PC muscle exercises discussed here take after gynecologist Dr. Arnold Kegel. Dr. Kegel invented the Perineometer, used to measure vaginal air pressure, along with the exercises discussed here to strengthen the pelvic floor. Dr. Kegel and his associates noticed during the late 1940s that after childbirth and some vaginal reconstructive surgeries the pelvic tissue, mainly the perineum, became weak and thin. T

The doctor surmised that this muscle tissue, much like any other muscle tissue, would atrophy without proper exercise, and that professionals in the medical field largely overlooked this condition. Dr. Kegel set off on a study of the pubococcygeus muscle over a span of 18 years, and through his research developed a device to measure the pressure applied by the vaginal muscles and a series of exercises to strengthen those muscles.

His work in the field is so important that those in the medical field began calling the pubococcygeus muscle the “Kegel muscle”. Dr. Kegel’s team found that not only did the PC muscle contribute to the support and sphincentric control of all the pelvic organs, it is largely responsible for keeping the tone of the other pelvic muscles, whether they be smooth or striated, making it a very important muscle indeed.

When the PC muscle is not in the proper condition, often caused by urinary stress incontinence, cystocele, or uterus prolapse, atrophy will occur. The good news is that with some simple exercises, the tone and strength will return, and with continued exercise, the muscle will continue to grow stronger.

Although Dr. Kegel conducted the majority of his research pertaining to women, men can benefit from strengthening their PC muscle as well. Men’s Kegel exercises improve the cremaster muscle reflex, which, with practice, can enable men to raise their penis at will. This strength and control also allows for improvements in the area of urinary stress incontinence and premature ejaculation as well, and can improve conditions such as erectile dysfunction. Because both sexes have a pubococcygeus muscle, both can benefit from exercising it.