Obturator crest

The Obturator Crest is a significant anatomical feature of the human body. It is a ridge on the pelvis that extends from the pubic tubercle to the acetabulum, the socket of the hip joint. The obturator crest is part of the obturator foramen, a large opening in the hip bone that allows for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.

Etymology

The term "obturator" comes from the Latin word "obturare", which means "to close or obstruct". This is in reference to the obturator foramen, which is largely closed off by a membrane in living beings. The term "crest" is derived from the Latin "crista", meaning "ridge or peak", which describes the shape of this anatomical feature.

Anatomy

The obturator crest is a prominent feature of the pubic bone, one of the three bones that make up the hip bone. It forms the anterior border of the obturator foramen and serves as the attachment point for the obturator membrane, a thin, fibrous sheet that covers most of the foramen.

The obturator crest begins at the pubic tubercle, a forward-projecting bump on the pubic bone, and extends to the acetabulum. The acetabulum is a deep, cup-shaped socket that houses the head of the femur, forming the hip joint.

Clinical Significance

The obturator crest, along with the rest of the obturator foramen, is of clinical importance in surgery and anatomy. It is a landmark used in surgical procedures involving the hip and pelvis, such as hip replacement surgery. The obturator crest can also be involved in certain medical conditions, such as obturator hernia, a rare type of abdominal hernia that occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the obturator foramen.

Related Terms

• Obturator Foramen
• Obturator Membrane
• Obturator Nerve
• Obturator Artery
• Obturator Vein
• Obturator Canal

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  Gray's Anatomy Plate 435
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  Gray's Anatomy Plate 235