Obturator Nerve

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Note

Readings

The Obturator externus2 — The Obturator externus²

Roots

L2, L3, L4

Pathway

Through psoas major, enters medial thigh via obturator canal
Sends motor branches to obturator externus before dividing into an anterior and posterior branch, both of which are separated by adductor brevis
Descends between adductor longus and brevis towards femoral artery
Pierces fascia lata to become cutaneous branch of obturator nerve to supply skin on medial distal part of thigh
Posterior division: Passess behind Obturator Externus muscles and travels anteriorly to partially innervate adductor magnus³

Motor innervation

Obturator Nerve Muscle Innervations
Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Adductor brevis	Inferior pubic ramus³ [Inferior pubic ramus](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Linea aspera³ [Linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Obturator n.³ L2 - L3³ [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#nerve) - [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Pelvis [Frontal stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Sagittal stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Adductor Longus	Superior pubis ramus³ Anterior side of Pubic Symphysis³ [Superior pubis ramus](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Anterior side of Pubic Symphysis](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Linea aspera³ [Linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Obturator n.³ L2 - L4³ [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Pelvis [Frontal plane stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Sagittal plane stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Adductor Magnus	Inferior pubic ramus³ Ischial ramus³ Ischial tuberosity³ [Inferior pubic ramus](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Ischial ramus](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Ischial tuberosity](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Medial lip of Linea aspera³ Adductor tubercle³ [Medial lip of Linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Adductor tubercle](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Obturator n.³ Tibial n.³ L2 - L4³ [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Tibial n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [IR](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Pelvis [Frontal stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Sagittal stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Gracilis	Inferior pubic ramus³ [Inferior pubic ramus](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Pes anserine³ [Pes anserine](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Obturator n.³ L2 - L3³ [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#nerve) - [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Knee [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [IR](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Obturator externus	Outer surface of Obturator membrane³ Adjacent bony boundaries³ [Outer surface of Obturator membrane](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Adjacent bony boundaries](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Trochanteric Fossa³ [Trochanteric Fossa](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Obturator n.³ L3 - L4³ [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#nerve) - [L4](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [ER](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Pelvis [Sagittal Stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Pectineus	Pecten pubis³ [Pecten pubis](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Pectineal line³ Proximal linea aspera³ [Pectineal line](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Proximal linea aspera](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Femoral n.³ Obturator n.³ L2 - L3³ [Femoral n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Obturator n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [L2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) - [L3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Hip [ER](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [slight Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Pelvis [Frontal plane stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Sagittal plane stabilization](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus_muscle.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]

Direct branch

Obturator externus³

Anterior division

Adductor Longus³
Adductor Brevis³
Gracilis³
Pectineus (in some cases)³

Posterior Branch

Adductor magnus (partial innervation)³

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Nerve	Action
Pectineus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus.html#insertion	?var:ref-pectineus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/pectineus.html#action
Gracilis	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis.html#insertion	?var:ref-gracilis.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/gracilis.html#action
Adductor Longus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.html#insertion	?var:ref-adductor-longus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_longus.html#action
Adductor Brevis	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.html#insertion	?var:ref-adductor-brevis.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_brevis.html#action
Obturator Externus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.html#insertion	?var:ref-obturator-externus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/obturator_externus.html#action
Adductor Magnus	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.html#insertion	?var:ref-adductor-magnus.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Thigh Muscles/Medial Thigh Muscles/adductor_magnus.html#action

Cutaneous Innervation

Cutaneous Distribtion of the obturator nerve (Right leg, medial view)3 — Cutaneous Distribtion of the obturator nerve (Right leg, medial view)³

Dysfunction

“Obturator Nerve that may be compromised by herniation of intervertebral disks at L4 or L5 as they pass through the intervertebral foramina”³

References

Iwanaga J, Reina F, Ishak B, Reina MA, Dumont AS, Tubbs RS. Revisiting the Muscular Innervation of the Obturator Nerve: Application to Neurotization Procedures. The Kurume Medical Journal. 2023;68(2):75-80. doi:10.2739/kurumemedj.MS682009

Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as:

Yomogida N, Kerstein C. Obturator Nerve. https://yomokerst.com/The Archive/Anatomy/Nerves/Lumbosacral Plexus/Lumbar plexus/obturator_nerve.html