Obturator membrane

The obturator membrane (Latin: membrana obturatoria) is a strong fibrous joint or syndesmosis that fills the obturator foramen of the hip bone. It attaches to the margins of the obturator foramen that is formed by the ischium and pubic bone.

The obturator membrane almost completely fills the obturator foramen, except for the obturator groove (of the pubic bone) located on its upper aspect. Between the groove and obturator membrane is a space called the obturator canal.

The obturator canal serves as a passageway for obturator blood vessels and nerves. The obturator membrane also serves as an attachment site for two obturator muscles - the external and internal obturator muscles.