Get Started
Home › Basics › Obturator canal

Obturator canal

Medically Reviewed by Anatomy Team

  • Last updated on January 18, 2025

Table of Contents

The obturator canal is a critical anatomical structure in the pelvis, serving as a pathway for vital neurovascular structures.[8] It plays a significant role in supplying the medial compartment of the thigh.

Where is Obturator canal Located?

The obturator canal is found in the pelvis, specifically in the upper part of the obturator foramen. This foramen is a large gap in the bony pelvis, located on either side, bounded by the pubic and ischial bones.

Structure

  • Formation: The obturator canal is formed by the obturator membrane, a fibrous structure that covers most of the obturator foramen.[6] A small gap in the superior part of this membrane gives rise to the canal.
  • Dimensions: Typically, the canal measures about 2-3 cm in length.[1]
  • Contents: The canal houses the obturator nerve and the obturator vessels (artery and vein).

Function

  • Neurovascular Pathway: The primary function of the obturator canal is to provide a passageway for the obturator nerve and vessels to exit the pelvis and enter the medial aspect of the thigh.[4]
  • Muscle Innervation and Blood Supply: The obturator nerve arising from the canal supplies several muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh, like the adductor muscles. The obturator artery and vein supply blood to these same regions.

Clinical Significance

Obturator Hernia

This is a rare type of hernia where the intestinal tissues protrude through the obturator canal. It is more common in elderly women and might present with nonspecific symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose.[2] A delay in diagnosis can have serious consequences due to the risk of bowel strangulation.

Injury

Injury to the obturator nerve can impair the function of the adductor muscles of the thigh.[3] Causes might include pelvic fractures, surgeries, or invasive procedures in the pelvic region.

Diagnostic Modalities

  • Physical Examination: While clinical signs related to the obturator canal might be subtle, a deep tenderness in the medial thigh or groin, associated with a palpable mass, might suggest an obturator hernia.[5]
  • Imaging: CT scans and MRIs are beneficial for diagnosing obturator hernias or evaluating injuries related to the obturator nerve and vessels.[7]

References

  1. Clemente, C. D. (2011). Clemente’s Anatomy Dissector (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 9781609136062.
  2. Romanes, G. J. (2015). Cunningham’s Manual of Practical Anatomy: Volume 1 – Upper and Lower Limbs (16th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780198749299.
  3. Snell, R. S. (2019). Clinical Anatomy by Systems (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health. ISBN: 9781496386274.
  4. Bergman, R. A., Afifi, A. K., & Heidger, P. M. (2006). Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section (1st ed.). Urban & Schwarzenberg. ISBN: 9780683303855.
  5. Grant, J. C. B., & Basmajian, J. V. (1989). Grant’s Method of Anatomy: A Clinical Problem-Solving Approach (11th ed.). Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 9780683011576.
  6. Williams, A., & Dyson, M. (1991). Gray’s Anatomy: Regional and Applied Dissection and Clinical (37th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN: 9780443037162.
  7. Tank, P. W., & Gest, T. R. (2013). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Atlas of Anatomy (1st ed.). Wolters Kluwer/LWW. ISBN: 9780781745401.
  8. Chaurasia, B. D. (2016). B. D. Chaurasia’s Human Anatomy: Volume 2 – Lower Limb, Abdomen, and Pelvis (7th ed.). CBS Publishers & Distributors. ISBN: 9788123923336.