The obturator veins arise from the union of smaller veins in the proximal part of the medial compartment of the thigh. They encircle the obturator foramen, following the course of the anterior and posterior branches of the obturator artery. These veins pass between the obturator externus muscle and the obturator membrane, then travel through the obturator canal to enter the pelvic cavity.

Within the pelvis, the obturator veins accompany the obturator artery, running posteriorly and superiorly along the lateral wall of the lesser pelvis. They typically drain into the internal iliac vein (Read more!), though occasionally they may terminate in the inferior epigastric vein.

Before draining into the internal iliac vein, the obturator veins pass between the ureter and the internal iliac artery. They also cross the ductus deferens, which lies medial to the obturator veins. Within the obturator neurovascular bundle, which includes the obturator veins, obturator artery, and obturator nerve, the veins are usually the most inferior structures.

Overall, the obturator veins drain venous blood from the pelvic muscles (obturator externus and obturator internus), the head of the femur, the adductor muscles (adductor magnus, adductor brevis, adductor longus), pectineus, gracilis, and the skin of the medial thigh.

Unlock with Premium

Obturator veins