biostudies-literatureCason SNNational Center for Advancing Translational SciencesAmerican Institute of Ultrasound in MedicineEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNCATS NIH HHSAndrew W. Mellon FoundationNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesAmerican College of RadiologyMayo ClinicU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationNational Institutes of HealthPatient-Centered Outcomes Research InstituteNational Institute on AgingMassachusetts Institute of TechnologySmall Business Innovation ResearchUniversity of MinnesotaNational Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentFord Foundation49.e1-49.e20https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12744907biostudies-literatureUnknown233(1)<h4>Background</h4>Most studies on pelvic floor muscle morphology (dimensions, shape) and its relationship with patient characteristic risk factors of pelvic floor dysfunction (demographics, medical history) have largely pertained to White individuals with vaginas. There is a need to establish normative data on pelvic floor muscle anatomy and identify morphological differences in racially diverse cohorts that may play a role in racial differences in the prevalence and pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunction.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to compare levator ani muscle thickness and levator hiatal morphology and their association with patient characteristics, between asymptomatic Black and White women-identifying individuals with a vagina of reproductive age.<h4>Study design</h4>In tAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecologyRacial differences in the levator ani muscle and levator hiatus in individuals of reproductive age.PMC12744907UL1 TR001857Cason SNAbramowitch SDRichter HEMoalli PALockhart MEBowen STfalseRacial differences in the levator ani muscle and levator hiatus in individuals of reproductive age.<h4>Background</h4>Most studies on pelvic floor muscle morphology (dimensions, shape) and its relationship with patient characteristic risk factors of pelvic floor dysfunction (demographics, medical history) have largely pertained to White individuals with vaginas. There is a need to establish normative data on pelvic floor muscle anatomy and identify morphological differences in racially diverse cohorts that may play a role in racial differences in the prevalence and pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunction.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to compare levator ani muscle thickness and levator hiatal morphology and their association with patient characteristics, between asymptomatic Black and White women-identifying individuals with a vagina of reproductive age.<h4>Study design</h4>In t2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jul2026-06-06T05:58:39.814Z2026-05-27T03:11:56.446ZS-EPMC127449073972232310.1016/j.ajog.2024.12.024