Posterior branch of obturator nerve

Nerve: Posterior branch of obturator nerve
Latin ramus posterior nervi obturatorii
Gray's subject #212 954
Innervates Adductor magnus muscle
From obturator nerve

The posterior branch of the obturator nerve pierces the anterior part of the Obturator externus, and supplies this muscle; it then passes behind the Adductor brevis on the front of the Adductor magnus, where it divides into numerous muscular branches which are distributed to the Adductor magnus and the Adductor brevis when the former does not receive a branch from the anterior division of the nerve.

It usually gives off an articular filament to the knee-joint.

Articular branch for the knee-joint

The articular branch for the knee-joint is sometimes absent; it either perforates the lower part of the Adductor magnus, or passes through the opening which transmits the femoral artery, and enters the popliteal fossa; it then descends upon the popliteal artery, as far as the back part of the knee-joint, where it perforates the oblique popliteal ligament, and is distributed to the synovial membrane. It gives filaments to the popliteal artery.

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This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.