Obturator Nerve is a significant nerve in the human body controlling the lower limbs' movements. The word "Obturator Nerve" is spelled phonetically as /ɑbˈtjʊəreɪtər nɜrv/. The transcription shows that the first part of the word (‘obturator') has an ‘o' sound followed by a ‘bt' sound, then ‘u' sound, followed by a ‘ra' sound, and finally a ‘tor' ending. The latter part of the word (‘nerve') has a ‘n' sound, followed by an ‘er' sound and ends with a ‘v' sound.
The obturator nerve is a vital peripheral nerve that emerges from the lumbar plexus, specifically from the ventral rami of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves (L2-L4). It descends into the pelvis and passes through the obturator canal to reach the medial compartment of the thigh. The obturator canal is a small bony passage in the hip bone known as the obturator foramen.
The main function of the obturator nerve is to innervate the muscles in the medial thigh, namely the adductor muscles. These muscles are responsible for the movements of adduction, or bringing the leg back towards the midline. The obturator nerve also provides sensory innervation to the skin on the medial aspect of the thigh.
In addition to its motor and sensory functions, the obturator nerve may also contribute to the autonomic nervous system. It can transmit sympathetic fibers to blood vessels in the lower limb, thus influencing vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
Damage to the obturator nerve can lead to a condition called obturator neuropathy or obturator nerve entrapment. This can occur due to compression, trauma, or inflammation, and may result in pain, tingling, muscle weakness, and altered sensation in the inner thigh. Treatment for obturator neuropathy typically involves addressing the underlying cause, managing pain, and physical therapy to aid in functional recovery.
In summary, the obturator nerve is an important nerve originating from the lumbar plexus that innervates the medial thigh muscles and provides sensory innervation to the inner thigh.
See under nervus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "obturator" originates from the Latin term "obturare", which means "to block" or "to stop up". This term is derived from the Latin words "ob", meaning "against", and "turus", which means "a hole".
The term "nerve" is derived from the Latin word "nervus", which signifies "sinew" or "tendon".
Therefore, the etymology of "obturator nerve" can be understood as a nerve that runs through or blocks a hole, referring to its anatomical position and function.