Obturatorius

Obturatorius is a Latin adjective meaning “pertaining to the obturator,” derived from obturare, to stop up, and is commonly used in anatomical terminology to describe structures associated with the obturator foramen in the pelvis. In practice, the term appears in several standardized names rather than as a standalone anatomical entity.

In anatomy, obturatorius is most often encountered as part of the names of muscles, nerves, and arteries connected to the obturator foramen. Musculus obturatorius internus originates from the inner surface of the obturator membrane and surrounding bones, and inserts on the femur near the greater trochanter, where it acts as a lateral rotator of the hip. Musculus obturatorius externus originates from the external surface of the obturator membrane and surrounding bone, inserting at the trochanteric fossa to assist in hip stabilization and lateral rotation. Nervus obturatorius (the obturator nerve) arises from L2–L4, traverses the pelvic cavity, and passes through the obturator canal to innervate the medial thigh muscles (adductors) and provide sensory innervation to part of the medial thigh. Arteria obturatoria (the obturator artery) typically branches from the internal iliac artery and accompanies the nerve through the obturator canal.

Clinical notes indicate that injury or compression of the obturator nerve can affect hip adduction and medial thigh sensation, whereas vascular or muscular obturator structures may be involved in pelvic or hip pathologies.

Obturatorius, as a standalone term, is not a separate anatomical body part but a descriptor found in multiple compound names related to the obturator region.

See also: foramen obturatum, foramen obturatorium, obturator membrane, nervus obturatorius.