Obturator artery
Encyclopedia
The obturator artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery
that passes antero-inferiorly (forwards and downwards) on the lateral wall of the pelvis
, to the upper part of the obturator foramen
, and, escaping from the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal
, it divides into both an anterior and a posterior branch.
, ductus deferens, and peritoneum
; while a little below it is the obturator nerve
.
Inside the pelvis the obturator artery gives off iliac branches to the iliac fossa
, which supply the bone and the Iliacus, and anastomose with the ilio-lumbar artery; a vesical branch, which runs backward to supply the bladder
; and a pubic branch, which is given off from the vessel just before it leaves the pelvic cavity
.
The pubic branch ascends upon the back of the pubis, communicating with the corresponding vessel of the opposite side, and with the inferior epigastric artery
.
, into an anterior branch
and a posterior branch
which encircle the foramen under cover of the Obturator externus.
The obturator artery sometimes arises from the main stem or from the posterior trunk of the internal iliac artery
, or it may arise from the superior gluteal artery
; occasionally it arises from the external iliac.
In about two out of every seven cases it arises from the inferior epigastric and descends almost vertically to the upper part of the obturator foramen
. The artery in this course usually lies in contact with the external iliac vein
, and on the lateral side of the femoral ring
(Figure A on diagram); in such cases it would not be endangered in the operation for strangulated femoral hernia
.
Occasionally, however, it curves along the free margin of the lacunar ligament
(Figure B), and if in such circumstances a femoral hernia occurred, the vessel would almost completely encircle the neck of the hernial sac, and would be in great danger of being wounded if an operation were performed for strangulation.
Internal iliac artery
The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.-Structure:The internal iliac artery supplies the walls and viscera of the pelvis, the buttock, the reproductive organs, and the medial compartment of the thigh...
that passes antero-inferiorly (forwards and downwards) on the lateral wall of the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
, to the upper part of the obturator foramen
Obturator foramen
The obturator foramen is the hole created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis through which nerves and muscles pass.- General structure :...
, and, escaping from the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal
Obturator canal
The obturator canal is a passageway formed in the obturator foramen by part of the obturator membrane. It connects the pelvis to the thigh.The obturator artery, obturator vein, and obturator nerve all travel through the canal.-Pathology:...
, it divides into both an anterior and a posterior branch.
Inside the pelvis
In the pelvic cavity this vessel is in relation, laterally, with the obturator fascia; medially, with the ureterUreter
In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
, ductus deferens, and peritoneum
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
; while a little below it is the obturator nerve
Obturator nerve
The obturator nerve in human anatomy arises from the ventral divisions of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves; the branch from the third is the largest, while that from the second is often very small.-Path:...
.
Inside the pelvis the obturator artery gives off iliac branches to the iliac fossa
Iliac fossa
The iliac fossa is a large, smooth, concave surface located on the internal surface of the ilium...
, which supply the bone and the Iliacus, and anastomose with the ilio-lumbar artery; a vesical branch, which runs backward to supply the bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
; and a pubic branch, which is given off from the vessel just before it leaves the pelvic cavity
Pelvic cavity
-External links:* * *...
.
The pubic branch ascends upon the back of the pubis, communicating with the corresponding vessel of the opposite side, and with the inferior epigastric artery
Inferior epigastric artery
In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...
.
Outside the pelvis
Outside the pelvis, the obturator artery divides at the upper margin of the obturator foramenObturator foramen
The obturator foramen is the hole created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis through which nerves and muscles pass.- General structure :...
, into an anterior branch
Anterior branch of the obturator artery
The anterior branch of the obturator artery runs forward on the outer surface of the obturator membrane and then curves downward along the anterior margin of the foramen....
and a posterior branch
Posterior branch of the obturator artery
The posterior branch of the obturator artery follows the posterior margin of the foramen and turns forward on the inferior ramus of the ischium, where it anastomoses with the anterior branch....
which encircle the foramen under cover of the Obturator externus.
Peculiarities
Internal iliac artery
The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.-Structure:The internal iliac artery supplies the walls and viscera of the pelvis, the buttock, the reproductive organs, and the medial compartment of the thigh...
, or it may arise from the superior gluteal artery
Superior gluteal artery
The superior gluteal artery is the largest branch of the internal iliac artery, and appears to be the continuation of the posterior division of that vessel....
; occasionally it arises from the external iliac.
In about two out of every seven cases it arises from the inferior epigastric and descends almost vertically to the upper part of the obturator foramen
Obturator foramen
The obturator foramen is the hole created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis through which nerves and muscles pass.- General structure :...
. The artery in this course usually lies in contact with the external iliac vein
External iliac vein
The external iliac veins are large veins that connect the femoral veins to the common iliac veins. Their origin is at the inferior margin of the inguinal ligaments and they terminate when they join the internal iliac veins ....
, and on the lateral side of the femoral ring
Femoral ring
The femoral ring is the base of the femoral canal. It is directed upward and is oval in form, its long diameter being directed transversely and measuring about 1.25 cm.-Boundaries:The femoral ring is bounded as follows:...
(Figure A on diagram); in such cases it would not be endangered in the operation for strangulated femoral hernia
Femoral hernia
A hernia is caused by the protrusion of a viscus through a weakness in the containing wall. This weakness may be inherent, as in the case of inguinal, femoral and umbilical hernias. On the other hand, the weakness may be caused by surgical incision through the muscles of the abdominal/thoracic wall...
.
Occasionally, however, it curves along the free margin of the lacunar ligament
Lacunar ligament
The lacunar ligament is a ligament in the inguinal region that connects the inguinal ligament to the pectineal ligament near the point where they both insert on the pubic tubercle.-Anatomy:...
(Figure B), and if in such circumstances a femoral hernia occurred, the vessel would almost completely encircle the neck of the hernial sac, and would be in great danger of being wounded if an operation were performed for strangulation.