The obturator canal is a 2-3 cm fibro-osseous tunnel in the superolateral corner of the obturator foramen, through which the obturator nerve, artery, and vein pass from the pelvis into the medial thigh. It is bounded superiorly by the obturator groove of the pubic bone and inferiorly by the obturator membrane and obturator internus muscle.
| Location | Upper front corner of the obturator foramen, 2-3 cm long |
|---|---|
| Boundaries |
|
| Contents |
The only gap in the obturator membrane, carrying the obturator nerve and vessels from the pelvis to the medial thigh. Rarely a hernia passes through it.
The obturator canal is the site of obturator hernia (most common in thin elderly women), which presents with medial thigh pain (Howship-Romberg sign, medial thigh pain with hip extension, adduction, and medial rotation from nerve compression). Obturator nerve entrapment within the canal produces medial thigh pain and weakness of hip adduction in runners and cyclists. Laparoscopic repair of obturator hernias requires knowledge of the canal boundaries.
Peritoneal protrusion through the obturator canal producing the Howship-Romberg sign (medial thigh pain with hip extension), most common in thin elderly women and often diagnosed at emergency surgery for small bowel obstruction.
Compression of the obturator nerve within the obturator canal producing medial thigh pain and adductor weakness in endurance athletes, confirmed by MRI or diagnostic nerve block.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
