Obturator artery

The obturator artery (latin: arteria obturatoria) is a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery.

The obturator artery runs along the lateral wall of the lesser pelvis and leaves the pelvic cavity via the obturator canal. Then the obturator artery runs to the thigh dividing into an anterior and a posterior branch to supply the muscles of the medial group of the thigh and the external obturator muscle.

The obturator artery gives off two side branches: the pubic branch and the acetabular branch.

The acetabular branch of the obturator artery runs through the acetabular notch to the ligament of the head of the femur supplying the head of the femur.

The pubic branch ascends to the pubic region and forms anastomosis with the pubic branch of the inferior epigastric artery.

The obturator artery supplies blood to the ileum, pelvic muscles, head of the femur, muscles and skin of the medial region of the thigh.