What does perineal mean?
Perineal is an anatomical adjective meaning relating to, located in, or involving the perineum. The perineum is the region of the body between the genitals and anus, including the muscles and tissues that support the pelvic outlet. In medicine, perineal appears in expressions describing examinations, tears, pain, repair, and postoperative care, and it is also used in obstetrics and pelvic-floor physiotherapy. The term is formal and clinical rather than everyday, and speakers may prefer more specific anatomical wording when discussing a person's body. Knowing it is useful because it names a particular region and its associated structures in a way that broader terms such as pelvic or genital do not. It is also more anatomically precise than a general direction: it identifies the tissues and structures concerned, not merely a location elsewhere in the body.
adjectiveRelating to, situated in, or involving the perineum, the anatomical region between the genitals and anus. It may also describe the muscles and tissues of this area or medical procedures performed on it.
- Relating to or involving the perineum.
"The clinician diagnosed a perineal tear following childbirth."
"The surgeon performed a perineal repair to restore damaged tissue."
"Pelvic-floor specialists often recommend perineal exercises after childbirth."
Perineal points to the body's crossroads—the region between the genitals and anus.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does perineal come from?
The English adjective entered use in the 17th century, derived from Latin perineum, a learned anatomical term borrowed from Ancient Greek perinaion. Latin perineum supplied the English noun perineum and the related surgical words perineorrhaphy, perineoplasty, and perineotomy. Cognates include the French adjective périnéal and the Spanish adjective perineal.
Related word forms
How perineal is actually used
This is primarily a formal clinical and anatomical term. In sensitive patient-facing contexts, more specific or less clinical anatomical wording may be preferred.
Easily confused with perineal
Perineal is the adjective describing the perineum, whereas perineum is the noun naming the anatomical region itself.