The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane.
Its base is directed toward the rectum, and connected to the central tendinous point of the perineum. The base is fused with both the pelvic fascia and Colle's fascia.
In males, it is perforated, about 2.5 cm below the pubic symphysis, by the urethra, the aperture for which is circular and about 6 mm in diameter, by the arteries to the bulb, and the ducts of the bulbourethral glands close to the urethral orifice; by the deep arteries of the penis, one on either side close to the pubic arch, and about halfway along the attached margin of the fascia; by the dorsal arteries and nerves of the penis near the apex of the fascia. Its base is also perforated by the perineal vessels and nerves, while between its apex and the arcuate pubic ligament the deep dorsal vein of the penis passes upward into the pelvis.
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If the inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm is detached on either side, the following structures will be seen between it and the superior fascia:
^Peschers, U; DeLancey, J. O. L. (2007). J. Laycock, J. Haslam (ed.). Therapeutic Management of Incontinence and Pelvic Pain: Pelvic Organ Disorders (2 ed.). London: Springer. pp. 9–20.
