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Inner hindlimb muscle
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
The internal obturator muscle (m.obturatorius internus) originates at the edges of the obturator foramen (except for the obturator groove), on the internal surface of the obturator membrane, on the pelvic surface of the ilium (above the obturator foramen) and on the obturator fascia. The internal obturator muscle exits the pelvic cavity through the lesser sciatic foramen, changes direction at an acute angle, throwing over the edge of the lesser sciatic notch (here there is a sciatic bursa of the internal obturator muscle, bursa ischiadica m.obturatorii interni). The muscle is attached to the medial surface of the greater trochanter. At the site of attachment of the muscle, under its tendon, there is also a subtendinous bursa of the internal obturator muscle (bursa subtendinea milsculi obturatorii interni).
Upon exiting the obturator foramen, the superior and inferior gemellus muscles join the internal obturator muscle, also attaching to the greater trochanter.
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