The perineal body is a fibromuscular mass located at the centre of the perineum. This structure contains smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, and collagenous and elastic fibres.
The perineal body sits beneath the skin and muscle fibres from the perineum and pelvic floor are anchored to this body. Women and men both have a perineal body.
In women, the perineal body sits between the vagina and anus. Part of the function of the perineal body is to support the posterior part of the vaginal wall against prolapse. Therefore if the perineal body is torn, damaged or weak, this puts the woman at a higher risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse.