n., pl. -ne·a (-nē'ə).

1. The portion of the body in the pelvis occupied by urogenital passages and the rectum, bounded in front by the pubic arch, in the back by the coccyx, and laterally by part of the hipbone.
2. The region between the scrotum and the anus in males, and between the posterior vulva junction and the anus in females.

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin perinaeon, from Greek perinaion : peri-, peri- + inān, to excrete.]

perineal per'i·ne'al (-nē'əl) adj.

Expectant mothers and other alt-clickers were interested to read early in May 2005 that:

"Routine use of episiotomy for uncomplicated vaginal births does not provide immediate or longer term benefits for the mother, according to a review of scientific evidence sponsored by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Episiotomy is the surgical cutting of the perineum -- the skin between the vaginal opening and the anus -- and is a common procedure used in an estimated one-third of vaginal deliveries to hasten birth or prevent tearing of the skin during delivery."

Link: Routine Use of Episiotomy in Uncomplicated Births Offers No Benefits to Women

Posted May 5, 2005.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

The anatomical name for the ‘crotch’ region, including the anus and vulva in the female and extending from the anus to the scrotum in the male. At a deeper level, layers of muscle and connective tissue form the ‘floor’ of the pelvic cavity which is penetrated by the anal canal (from the rectum) and urethra (from the bladder), and by the vagina in the female. The bony limits of the perineum are the pubic symphysis, in front (where the two pelvic bones join), and the coccyx behind.

— Stuart Judge

See pelvis; urogenital system

n

The part of the body situated dorsal to the pubic arch and the arcuate ligments, ventral to the tip of the coccyx, and lateral to the inferior rami of the pubis and the ischium and sacrotuberous ligaments. The perineum supports and surrounds the distal portions of the urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts of the body.

Region of the body between the muscular floor of the pelvis and the thighs, containing the anal canal and external genitalia.

The region between the tail and the ischiatic arch, especially the region between the anus and genital organs made up of the pelvic diaphragm and associated structures occupying the pelvic outlet, bounded ventrally by the pelvic symphysis, laterally by the ischial tuberosities, and dorsally by the coccygeal vertebrae. During parturition the perineum may be torn, resulting in possible damage to the urinary meatus and anal sphincter. To avoid a perineal laceration the veterinarian may cut the perineum just before delivery and suture the incision after delivery. See also episiotomy, perineorrhaphy.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - mellemkød

Nederlands (Dutch)
gebied tussen anus en externe geslachtsdelen, perineum

Français (French)
n. - périnée

Deutsch (German)
n. - Damm

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - περίνεο

Italiano (Italian)
perineo

Português (Portuguese)
n. - períneo (m) (Anat.)

Русский (Russian)
промежность

Español (Spanish)
n. - perineo

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - bäckenbotten

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
会阴

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 會陰

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 회음(부)

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 会陰

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) شرج, عجان : المنطقه بين فتحه التناسل والشرج‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮חיץ הנקביים (המרווח בין פי-הטבעת ואברי המין)‬

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