Modelling of Soft Connective Tissues to Investigate Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions

Figure 5

Sagittal section of a 3D pelvic model with results of the FE simulation showing the vertical movement of the pelvic floor during Valsalva manoeuvre for (a) healthy tissues and (b) 95% weakened ligaments and fasciae. Urethral axis with vertical line resembles positive Q-tip test. A great vertical descent (DZ = 38.79 mm) of the anal orifice is observed in a dynamic MRI in a SUI patient [76]. The vertical displacement of the anal orifice in the SUI calculation (Figure 6(b)) is 40.83 mm.

(a)

(b)