Final answer:
The levator ani is the pelvic muscle often mistaken for the bowel due to its significant role in supporting the pelvic viscera and forming the skeletal muscle sphincters at the urethra and anus. It includes the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus muscles and is a central part of the pelvic diaphragm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Levator Ani Muscle and Pelvic Anatomy
The pelvic muscle that is often mistaken for the bowel is the levator ani. This muscle is a large component of the pelvic floor and is critically important for supporting the pelvic viscera. The levator ani is composed of two main skeletal muscles, the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus.
It plays a vital role in resisting pressure from the contraction of the abdominal muscles, applying this pressure to assist with defecation and childbirth. Additionally, it helps create skeletal muscle sphincters at the urethra and anus, contributing to the continence mechanisms of these structures.
The levator ani forms part of the pelvic diaphragm, along with the ischiococcygeus muscle, providing a foundation for the proper functioning of the pelvic organs. The muscle's importance and location can sometimes lead to its being mistaken for the bowel during medical examinations or imaging because of its size and position relative to the pelvic viscera.