Obturator

Obturator refers to a structure in the body that closes or obstructs an opening. The term is derived from the Latin word "obturare", which means to stop or close up. In human anatomy, there are several structures named obturator, including the Obturator nerve, Obturator artery, Obturator vein, and Obturator canal.

Obturator Nerve

The Obturator nerve is a peripheral nerve in the lower limb that is responsible for the sensory innervation of the skin of the medial aspect of the thigh. It also provides motor innervation to the adductor muscles of the lower limb.

Obturator Artery

The Obturator artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery that passes anteroinferiorly (forwards and downwards) on the lateral wall of the pelvis, to the upper part of the obturator foramen, and escapes from the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal.

Obturator Vein

The Obturator vein is a vein that usually accompanies the obturator artery and drains into the internal iliac vein. It drains the adductor region of the thigh.

Obturator Canal

The Obturator canal is a short passage in the anterior part of the human pelvis through which the obturator vessels and nerve pass to reach the thigh.

See Also

• Obturator externus muscle
• Obturator internus muscle
• Obturator membrane
• Obturator foramen