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Elsevier
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Nerve to Obturator Internus
Nervous System

Nerve to Obturator Internus

Nervus obturatorii interni

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Quick Facts

Origin: Anterior divisions of the anterior rami of fifth lumbar to second sacral nerves (L5—S2).

Course: Exits the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen. Winds around the ischial spine to enter perineum via the lesser sciatic foramen and comes to lie on the medial side of obturator internus.

Branches: None.

Supply: Motor innervation to obturator internus and gemellus superior muscles.

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Origin

The nerve to obturator internus (and the associated superior gemellus muscle) arises from the anterior divisions of the anterior rami of fifth lumbar to second sacral nerves (Aung et al., 2001).

Course

Following its origin from the lumbosacral plexus, the nerve leaves the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis muscle. Like the pudendal nerve, it passes around the ischial spine and through the lesser sciatic foramen to enter the perineum.

Branches

There are no named branches.

Supplied Structures

The nerve to obturator internus muscle provides motor innervation to obturator internus and superior gemellus muscles.

References

Aung, H. H., Sakamoto, H., Akita, K. and Sato, T. (2001) 'Anatomical study of the obturator internus, gemelli and quadratus femoris muscles with special reference to their innervation', Anat Rec, 263(1), pp. 41-52.

Complete Anatomy

The world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform

Complete Anatomy