Obturator artery

The obturator artery ( " Hüftlocharterie ") is an artery of the lower limb. It arises from the internal iliac artery and runs through the obturator foramen or the obturator canal - together with the same vein, and the obturator nerve - to the inside of the thigh. Then it divides behind the musculus pectineus into front and posterior branch ( ramus anterior or posterior). They supply the adductor muscles of the thigh and of the ligamentum capitis femoris and the femoral head of the thigh bone ( capitis femoris artery ). The anterior branch anastomoses with the medial femoral circumflex artery, the posterior ramus with inferior gluteal artery.

Clinically, the obturator artery is mainly due to their proximity to the acetabulum of importance. Especially the use of hip joint prostheses they can be easily injured and lead to increased bleeding.