Final answer:
The perineum is the area often incised during childbirth to prevent tearing. The incision made is known as an episiotomy, though recent practices favor natural tearing for better healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
During childbirth, the perineum is often incised to prevent deep tissues from tearing. This procedure, known as an episiotomy, involves an incision made in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum to facilitate vaginal birth. While it used to be a routine procedure, the current approach tends to favor allowing the perineum to tear naturally, as natural tears heal more quickly, are less painful, and cause less damage to surrounding muscles than an episiotomy. After the birth, both an episiotomy and a natural tear need to be sutured to ensure optimal healing.