Which structures pass through the urogenital hiatus?

Which structures pass through the urogenital hiatus?

• A. Urethra, Rectum, and Vagina
• B. Urethra only
• C. Rectum only
• D. Vagina only

Answer: (C)

The urogenital hiatus is a gap in the pelvic floor that allows pelvic organs to pass from the pelvis to the perineum. The structures that actually traverse this opening are the urethra, and in females, the vagina as well. The rectum, on the other hand, does not pass through this hiatus; it goes through a different opening in the pelvic floor known as the anorectal (rectal) hiatus to reach the anal canal. In males there is no vagina, so only the urethra passes through the urogenital hiatus. So the rectum does not pass through this hiatus—the urethra (and the vagina in females) does.

The urogenital hiatus is a gap in the pelvic floor that allows pelvic organs to pass from the pelvis to the perineum. The structures that actually traverse this opening are the urethra, and in females, the vagina as well. The rectum, on the other hand, does not pass through this hiatus; it goes through a different opening in the pelvic floor known as the anorectal (rectal) hiatus to reach the anal canal. In males there is no vagina, so only the urethra passes through the urogenital hiatus. So the rectum does not pass through this hiatus—the urethra (and the vagina in females) does.