The spelling of the word "obturator externus muscle" can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription. The "o" is pronounced like "ah," the "bt" is pronounced with a silent "b," the "u" is pronounced like "uh," the "r" is pronounced with a rolled "r," and the "ator" is pronounced with a schwa sound. The "ex" in "externus" is pronounced like "eks," the "t" is pronounced with a slight stop, and the "ernus" is pronounced with an "er" sound. The final "us" is pronounced with a short "u" sound.
The obturator externus muscle is a muscle located in the hip region of the human body. It belongs to a group of muscles known as the external rotators of the hip joint.
The term "obturator" refers to its association with the obturator foramen, a large opening in the hip bone. The word "externus" denotes its position as an external muscle, meaning that it is located on the outer side of the hip joint.
The obturator externus muscle originates from the outer surface of the obturator membrane, a thin sheet of connective tissue in the pelvis, as well as the margins of the obturator foramen. From there, it runs laterally and posteriorly to insert onto the greater trochanter of the femur, which is a bony prominence on the upper part of the thigh bone.
The main function of the obturator externus muscle is to laterally rotate the hip joint. This means that when the muscle contracts, it assists in turning the thigh bone outwards. However, it also plays a minor role in stabilizing the hip joint, especially when the leg is bearing weight or during activities such as walking or running.
Overall, the obturator externus muscle contributes to the movement and stability of the hip joint, allowing for various functional activities involving the lower limbs.