Obturator canal

The obturator canal is a passageway formed in the obturator foramen by part of the obturator membrane and the pelvis. It connects the pelvis to the thigh.

Obturator canal
Obturator canal, above the obturator membrane
The relations of the femoral and abdominal inguinal rings, seen from within the abdomen. Right side. (Obturator canal not labeled, but visible at bottom center.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	canalis obturatorius
TA98	A03.6.01.003
TA2	1849
FMA	25715
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Variations in origin and course of obturator artery. (Obturator canal not labeled, but visible at bottom center of each diagram.)

The obturator canal is formed between the obturator membrane and the pelvis.^[1] The obturator artery, obturator vein, and obturator nerve all travel through the canal.

Clinical significance

An obturator hernia is a type of hernia involving an intrusion into the obturator canal.

The obturator nerve can be compressed in the obturator canal.^[2]

The obturator canal may be compressed during pregnancy and major traumatic injuries, causing obturator syndrome.^[3]

See also

• Obturator fascia