Obturator Internus

Joe Muscolino

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The obturator internus of the deep lateral rotator group bilaterally. The superior gemellus and inferior gemellus have been ghosted in on the left side.

The Obturator Internus is a member of the Deep Lateral Rotator Group (also known as the Deep 6), composed of the following six muscles (from superior to inferior):

 

ATTACHMENTS:

  • The obturator internus attaches from the internal surface of the obturator foramen of the pelvic bone to the greater trochanter of the femur.

 

ACTIONS:

  • Laterally rotates the thigh at the hip joint.
  • Horizontally abducts the thigh at the hip joint.
  • Contralaterally rotates the pelvis at the hip joint.

 

NOTE: The distal tendon of the obturator internus passes around the pelvic bone in such a way that it has a 90 degree change in its fiber direction (line of pull).