Levator muscle of the anus
Musculus levator ani
Bends the tail and compresses the rectum.
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Pelvis
- Sides
- Paired: left and right
Where it runs from and to
A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.
- Origin
- from the symphysis of the pelvis.
- Insertion
- into the midventral line of the centra of the third, fourth, and fifth caudal vertebrae, close to the muscle of the opposite side. This muscle is frequently continuous with the iliocaudalis.
- Action
- Bends the tail and compresses the rectum.
Terminology
- English
- Levator muscle of the anus
- Latin (NAV)
- Musculus levator ani
- Status
- A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria