obduratornärv

The obduratornärv, also known as the obturator nerve, is a nerve in the human body that originates in the lumbar plexus and passes through the obturator canal to innervate the muscles of the adductor compartment of the thigh. This compartment is responsible for the adduction of the leg, which is the movement of the leg towards the midline of the body. The nerve also provides sensory innervation to the skin on the medial aspect of the thigh.

The obturator nerve arises from the anterior divisions of the anterior rami of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves. It travels downwards and medially, passing through the psoas major muscle. After emerging from the medial border of the psoas major, it crosses the iliac fossa and enters the pelvis. Within the pelvis, the nerve passes beneath the common iliac vessels and then enters the obturator canal, which is a passage through the obturator membrane.

As it exits the obturator canal, the obturator nerve divides into anterior and posterior branches. The anterior branch innervates the adductor longus, gracilis, and pectineus muscles, and provides sensory innervation to the skin of the medial thigh. The posterior branch innervates the adductor brevis and obturator externus muscles, and also contributes to the innervation of the knee joint.

Damage to the obturator nerve can result in weakness or paralysis of the adductor muscles, leading to difficulty with activities such as walking, standing, and crossing the legs. Sensory loss on the medial thigh may also occur. Causes of obturator nerve injury include trauma, surgery in the pelvic region, nerve entrapment, and certain medical conditions like diabetes.