The nerve to obturator internus, also known as the obturator internus nerve, is a nerve that innervates the obturator internus and gemellus superior muscles.

Structure

The nerve to obturator internus originates in the lumbosacral plexus. It arises from the ventral divisions of the fifth lumbar and first and second sacral nerves. It leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen below the

piriformis The piriformis muscle () is a flat, pyramidally-shaped muscle in the gluteal region of the lower limbs. It is one of the six muscles in the lateral rotator group. The piriformis muscle has its origin upon the front surface of the sacrum, and in ...

muscle, and gives off the branch to the gemellus superior, which enters the upper part of the posterior surface of the muscle. It then crosses the

ischial spine The ischial spine is part of the posterior border of the body of the ischium bone of the pelvis. It is a thin and pointed triangular eminence, more or less elongated in different subjects. Structure The pudendal nerve travels close to the ischia ...

, re-enters the pelvis through the

lesser sciatic foramen The lesser sciatic foramen is an opening (foramen) between the pelvis and the back of the thigh. The foramen is formed by the sacrotuberous ligament which runs between the sacrum and the ischial tuberosity and the sacrospinous ligament which runs ...

, and pierces the pelvic surface of the obturator internus.

References

Nerves of the lower limb and lower torso {{neuroanatomy-stub

Structure

See also

References