Fig. 3.

Results of finite elasticity simulations. Anterior view (a) of the levator ani (gold surface) deforming under ‘bear down’ pressure compared to the muscle geometry (transparent surface) at rest. The (b) stress and (c) extension ratio distributions are shown at the computational Gauss points in the deformed state. The stresses varied from −10 – 200 kPa (with blue representing maximum negative stress, white representing zero stress and red representing maximum positive stress), while the extension ratios in the ξ₂ direction varied from 0.7 – 2 (with blue representing maximum compression, white representing zero extension and red representing maximum extension).