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Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyLower limbNerves and vesselsObturator nerve
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ArticlesAnatomyLower limbNerves and vesselsObturator nerve

Obturator nerve

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Gordana Sendić, MD
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Lumbar plexus [23:22]
The structure of the lumbar plexus including its spinal roots and branches, which supply the abdominal wall, pelvis and lower limb.
Obturator nerve
Nervus obturatorius
Synonyms: none

The obturator nerve is one of the largest branches of the lumbar plexus. It is a mixed nerve which arises from the ventral (anterior) rami of the spinal nerves L2-L4.

The function of the obturator nerve is to provide motor innervation to all the medial muscles of the thigh (hip adductors) except for the ischiocondylar (hamstring) part of the adductor magnus. In addition, the nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin over the proximal part of the medial thigh and articular branches for the hip and knee joints.

This article will describe the anatomy and function of the obturator nerve.

Key facts about the obturator nerve
Origin Lumbar plexus (L2-L4)
Branches Anterior branch
Posterior branch
Supply Motor: Adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis, obturator externus and ischiocondylar part of adductor magnus muscle.
Sensory: Skin of the proximal part of the medial thigh, hip joint and knee joint.
Contents
  1. Origin and course
  2. Branches and function
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and course

Obturator nerve
Nervus obturatorius
1/3
Synonyms: none

The anterior roots of spinal nerves L2, L3 and L4 unite near the iliac crest, forming the obturator nerve. The nerve descends through the fibers of the psoas major muscle and emerges from its medial border near the pelvic brim to enter the lesser pelvis.

Here, the nerve runs on the lateral wall of the pelvis, posterior to the common iliac artery and lateral to the internal iliac vessels. Then, it exits the pelvis by passing through the obturator canal and to enter the medial compartment of the thigh.

Learn more about all the branches of the lumbar plexus here:

Lumbar plexus Explore study unit

Branches and function

The obturator nerve has two branches and they both arise in the thigh, just after the nerve traverses the obturator canal:

  • The anterior branch (or division) of the obturator nerve passes deep to the adductor longus and over the surface of the adductor brevis muscle. In cadavers, you would find it sandwiched between these two muscles. This nerve ramifies into an articular branch to the hip joint as well as muscular and cutaneous branches. The cutaneous branches innervate the overlying skin of the medial thigh, while the muscular branches supply the adductor longus, adductor brevis and gracilis muscles (and occasionally the pectineus muscle). 
  • The posterior branch (division) of the obturator nerve pierces the obturator externus and then passes over the adductor magnus. It supplies both of these muscles and gives articular branches that supply the capsule of the knee joint. Note that the obturator nerve supplies only the pubofemoral (adductor) part of the adductor magnus, while its ischiocondylar (hamstring) part is supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve. 

To sum up, the obturator nerve provides motor innervation to the adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis, obturator externus and ischiocondylar part of adductor magnus muscle. Its cutaneous distribution covers the skin of the proximal part of the medial thigh; it also provides articular branches to the hip and knee joints.

Want to test your knowledge on the innervation patterns of the lower limb muscles? Try this fully customizable quiz:

Custom quiz: Innervation of the lower limb muscles Start quiz

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Jo, S. Y., Chang, J. C., Bae, H. G., Oh, J.-S., Heo, J., & Hwang, J. C. (2016). A morphometric study of the Obturator nerve around the OBTURATOR FORAMEN. Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 59(3), 282. 
  • Koh, M. (2021, July 26). Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Obturator Nerve - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. NCBI.

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