Acetabular Branch of Obturator Artery (Left)
Ramus acetabularis arteriae obturatoriae
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Extrapelvic branch of the obturator artery.
Course: Enters acetabulum via the acetabular notch and courses towards the femoral head and ligament of the head of the femur.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Head of femur and surrounding structures.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The acetabular branch of the obturator artery is an extrapelvic branch and arises from the obturator artery after it passes through the obturator canal.
Course
The acetabular branch travels towards the acetabular notch where it enters the hip joint. Within the acetabular fossa it gives a branch to the ligamentum teres (ligament of the femoral head).
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The acetabular branch of the obturator artery contributes to the supply of the hip joint and often supplies the ligament of the head of the femur. In approximately half of individuals (54%), a separate ligamentum teres femoris artery arises from the obturator artery and not from the acetabular branch of the obturator artery (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).
References
Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.
