Obturator nerve

A critical nerve that facilitates movement and sensation in the inner thigh and associated areas.

The obturator nerve is a peripheral nerve that arises from the lumbar plexus, specifically from the ventral rami of L2 to L4 spinal nerves. It is primarily responsible for innervating the muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh and providing sensory feedback from the skin of the inner thigh region.

Terminologia Anatomica

nervus obturatorius

System

Nervous system

Function

The primary role of the obturator nerve is to facilitate both motor and sensory functions in the lower limb. It innervates several muscles, including the adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis, and part of the adductor magnus. These muscles are essential for the adduction of the thigh, which plays a vital role in activities such as walking, running, and maintaining balance. Additionally, the obturator nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin overlying the medial aspect of the thigh, allowing for the perception of touch and temperature changes in that area. Dysfunction of the obturator nerve can lead to weakness in thigh adduction and sensory loss, significantly affecting mobility and daily activities.

Location

The obturator nerve is located in the pelvis. It originates from the lumbar plexus, travels along the lateral wall of the pelvis, and passes through the obturator foramen, a small opening in the pelvic bone. Upon emerging from the foramen, the nerve divides into anterior and posterior branches. The anterior branch courses along the adductor muscles in the thigh, while the posterior branch supplies the obturator externus muscle and continues to innervate the adductor magnus. Due to its position, the obturator nerve is in close proximity to major blood vessels and surrounding structures, making it an important nerve for clinical considerations, especially in surgeries or injuries affecting the pelvic area.

Did You Know?

The obturator nerve is one of the nerves that can be affected during childbirth, potentially leading to postpartum pelvic pain.
Due to its course, the obturator nerve can be susceptible to entrapment injuries, particularly in athletes involved in activities requiring agile and powerful leg movements.
Anatomical variations can occur, with some individuals having extra branches or variations in its pathway, which can influence surgical approaches in the region.