Obturator externus tendon !
The obturator externus tendon winds under the femoral neck and attaches in a pit at the back of the top of the femur.
Official name: Tendon of obturator externus
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What it is
The tendon of the obturator externus, attaching in a pit at the back of the femoral neck (trochanteric fossa).
What it does
Carries the pull of the obturator externus to turn the thigh outward.
Key facts
- Attaches
- Runs below and behind the femoral neck to the trochanteric fossa
- Function
- Lateral rotation of the thigh; steadies the femoral head; the deep branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery, the main supply of the femoral head, runs beside it, so hip surgeons preserve it
- Tight in
- Hip medial rotation
Relations
- Course
- From the outer surface of the obturator membrane and the bone around it, it passes below the hip joint, then curves back under the femoral neck to the trochanteric fossa
- Above
- Lower hip capsule and the back of the femoral neck
- Behind
- Deep branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery, then the inferior gemellus and the quadratus femoris
How to find it
Not palpable; at operation it is found deep and below the gemelli and the quadratus femoris, curving behind the femoral neck to the trochanteric fossa.
On imaging
On MRI it is seen as a tendon curving under and behind the femoral neck; muscle oedema or strain is an uncommon cause of deep groin pain in athletes.
Clinical notes
- In surgical hip dislocation through a trochanteric osteotomy, the obturator externus is left intact to protect the medial circumflex femoral artery
- Strains of the obturator externus are uncommon causes of deep groin pain in sports with twisting, and are seen on MRI
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Where does the obturator externus tendon insert?
In the trochanteric fossa, after running below and behind the femoral neck.
Why do hip surgeons preserve the obturator externus tendon?
The deep branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery, the main supply of the femoral head, passes behind it.
Which nerve supplies the obturator externus, unlike the other short lateral rotators?
The obturator nerve; it belongs to the medial (adductor) group.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- obturator externus TA2 2636
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Tendón del obturador externo DeCS D013710
- English (TA2)
- Tendon of obturator externus
- Also called
- obturator externus muscle
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); DeCS; Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Obturator Muscles; Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Medial Thigh Muscles.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
