Musculus obturator externus
A deep hip muscle on the external surface of the pelvis. Laterally rotates the femur and stabilizes the hip joint.
Origin: External surface of the obturator foramen and surrounding bone
Insertion: Trochanteric fossa of the femur
Action: Laterally rotates the femur; stabilizes the hip
Innervation: Obturator nerve (L4-L6)
Rarely affected in isolation. Involved in complex pelvic fractures and deep hip joint disease.
Rarely affected in isolation. Involved in complex pelvic fractures and deep hip joint disease. Signs include: Deep-seated hindlimb lameness; abnormal limb rotation during movement; pain elicited only on deep manipulation of the hip.
See the Obturator Externus on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model