Obturator foramen
Last revised by Craig Hacking on 24 Nov 2020
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Hacking C, Kang O, Obturator foramen. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 03 Oct 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-51966
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rID:
51966
Article created:
15 Mar 2017,
Craig Hacking ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
Last revised:
24 Nov 2020,
Craig Hacking ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
Revisions:
4 times, by
2 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
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The obturator foramen is the large, obliquely oriented, ovoid aperture located at the anterior aspect of both sides of the pelvis, bounded by parts of the ischium and pubis. It is covered by thin fibrous membrane, the obturator membrane, which is covered on the internal and external surfaces by the muscles obturator internus and obturator externus respectively. At its superior margin, the membrane is devoid forming the obturator canal which allows the obturator nerve, artery and vein to exit the pelvis and enter the medial compartment of the thigh.
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Gross anatomy
Boundaries
- superior: superior pubic ramus and inferior margin of the acetabulum
- anterior: pubic body
- inferior: ischiopubic ramus (inferior pubic ramus)
- posterior: ischiopubic ramus (inferior pubic ramus) and acetabulum
Variation
It is larger and more oval in males, whereas it is smaller and more triangular in females.
Clinical importance
Although uncommon, an obturator hernia can pass through the foramen and cause bowel obstruction.
References
- 1. Keith L. Moore, Arthur F. Dalley. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. ISBN: 9780683061413
- 2. Mcminn. Last's Anatomy. ISBN: 9780729537520
Incoming Links
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- Obturator fascia
- Bony pelvis
- Obturator nerve neuropathy
- Goldman classification of urethral injuries
- Paediatric abdomen (lateral decubitus view)
- Abdomen (KUB view)
- Pubis
- Ilioischial line
- Abdomen (AP supine view)
- Neonatal abdominal radiograph (supine view)
- Obturator artery
- Abdomen (PA prone view)
- Pelvis (Judet view)
- Abdomen (PA erect view)
- Ischium
- Obturator canal
- Pelvis
- Paediatric abdomen (PA erect view)
- Urinary bladder hernia
Related articles: Anatomy: Abdominopelvic
- skeleton of the abdomen and pelvis
- muscles of the abdomen and pelvis
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- anterior abdominal wall
- posterior abdominal wall
- abdominal cavity
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- abdominal and pelvic viscera
- gastrointestinal tract
- spleen
- hepatobiliary system
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endocrine system
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adrenal gland
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kidney
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female reproductive system
- vulva
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abdominal aorta
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common iliac artery
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internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
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