The obturator nerves are a pair of nerves that innervate the muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh. The spelling of "obturator" is based on Latin roots, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription of "obturator" is /ɑbˈtjʊərətər/. The pronunciation of "nerves" is straightforward, with the stress on the first syllable and the phonetic transcription being /nɜrvz/. Remembering the correct spelling of "obturator nerves" is important for medical professionals, as damage to these nerves can cause significant dysfunction in the lower limbs.
The obturator nerves are a pair of nerves that originate from the lumbar plexus and primarily supply the muscles of the inner thigh. They are specifically formed by nerve fibers from the ventral rami of the second, third, and fourth lumbar spinal nerves. These nerves derive their name from the Latin term "obturator," which means "to close up." This refers to the primary function of the muscles they innervate, which is to adduct or close the thigh.
These nerves travel through the pelvis via the obturator canal and divide into various branches. These branches provide motor innervation to the adductor muscles of the thigh, namely the adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gracilis muscles. In addition to motor fibers, the obturator nerves also carry somatosensory fibers that transmit sensory information from the skin and deep structures of the medial thigh.
Damage or dysfunction of the obturator nerves can lead to a condition known as obturator nerve entrapment or obturator neuropathy. This can result in weakness or paralysis of the adductor muscles, leading to difficulty with adduction of the thigh. Sensory disturbances such as numbness or altered sensation may also be present in the inner thigh.
In summary, the obturator nerves are a pair of nerves that arise from the lumbar plexus and mainly supply the adductor muscles of the thigh. They play a vital role in thigh adduction and carry sensory information from the medial thigh.
The word "obturator" originates from the Latin word "obturare", which means "to block" or "to close up". The term "obturator" historically refers to any structure that serves to close an opening, particularly, to block or close a passage or canal.
The word "nerves" comes from the Latin word "nervus", which means sinew, tendon, or nerve. In modern usage, "nerves" refers specifically to the bundle of fibers that transmit sensory and motor information throughout the body.