Obturator artery 4385205 171899326 2007-11-16T15:20:58Z Arcadian 104523 Obturator veins {{Infobox Artery | Name = Obturator artery | Latin = arteria obturatoria | GraySubject = 155 | GrayPage = 616 | Image = Gray547.png | Caption = The relations of the femoral and abdominal [[inguinal rings]], seen from within the [[abdomen]]. Right side. (Obturator artery is visible at bottom.) | Image2 = Internal iliac branches.PNG| Caption2 = [[Internal iliac artery]] and some branches.| BranchFrom = [[internal iliac artery]] | BranchTo = [[anterior branch of the obturator artery|anterior branch]], [[posterior branch of the obturator artery|posterior branch]] | Vein = [[obturator veins]] | Supplies = [[Obturator externus muscle]], [[medial compartment of thigh]], [[femur]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = a_61 | DorlandsSuf = 12155276 | }} The '''obturator artery''' 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. ==Inside the pelvis== In the pelvic cavity this vessel is in relation, laterally, with the [[obturator fascia]]; medially, with the [[ureter]], [[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 [[urinary bladder|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]]. ==Outside the pelvis== Outside the pelvis, the obturator artery divides at the upper margin of the [[obturator foramen]], into an [[anterior branch of the obturator artery|anterior branch]] and a [[posterior branch of the obturator artery|posterior branch]] which encircle the foramen under cover of the [[Obturator externus]]. ==Peculiarities== [[Image:Gray541.png|thumb|350px|Variations in origin and course of obturator artery.]] The obturator artery sometimes arises from the main stem or from the posterior trunk of the [[hypogastric]], or it may spring from the [[superior gluteal artery]]; occasionally it arises from the [[external iliac]]. In about two out of every seven cases it springs 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]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray236.png|Right hip bone. Internal surface. Image:Gray404.png|Left Levator ani from within. </gallery> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|43|13|02|01}} - "The Female Pelvis: Branches of Internal Iliac Artery" * {{NormanAnatomy|pelvis}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|pelvicarteries}}) * {{LoyolaMedEd|Grossanatomy/dissector/practical/pelvis/pelvis15.html}} * [http://www.anatomyatlases.org/AnatomicVariants/Cardiovascular/Images0400/0471.shtml Variations at anatomyatlases.org] * [http://www.anatomyatlases.org/AnatomicVariants/Cardiovascular/Images0001/0067.shtml Variations at anatomyatlases.org] {{Gray's}} {{Arteries of thorax and abdomen}} [[category:abdomen]] [[Category:Arteries]]