MEDIAL SIDE OF THE THIGH 



211 



obturator nerve is then exposed, and should be traced proximally to the 

 obturator foramen, and distally to its distribution upon the adductor 

 magnus. 



Nervus Obturatorius (Obturator Nerve). The obturator 

 nerve is a branch of the lumbar plexus (Fig. 212). It escapes 



Ace. Obturator nerve. 



Obt. Obturator nerve. 



O.I. Obturator internus. 



O.E. Obturator externus 



Py. Piriformis muscle. 



G.Ma. Glutaeus maximus. 



Q. Quadratus femoris. 



A.M. Adductor magnus. 



P. Pectineus. 



A.B. Adductor brevis 

 A.L. Adductor longus. 

 G. Gracilis. 

 X . Branch to hip-joint. 

 I.C. Medial circumflex 

 artery. 



1. Cutaneous branch. 



2. Twig to walls of 



femoral artery. 



3. Branch to knee- 



joint. 



FIG. 80. Diagram to illustrate the distribution of the Obturator Nerve and 

 the general disposition of the Adductor Muscles of the Thigh (Paterson). 



from the pelvis by passing, with its companion vessels, 

 through the upper part of the obturator foramen of the 

 innominate bone. While still within the foramen it divides 

 into an anterior and a posterior division. 



The anterior division of the obturator nerve enters the thigh 

 over the upper border of the obturator externus muscle, and 

 proceeds distally upon the anterior surface of the adductor 



