Functional Rehab Academy

Obturator internus / externus

Muscle origin
Anterior (externus) and posterior (internus) surface of the obturator membrane and bony boundaries of the obturator foramen.

Muscle insertion
Trochanteric fossa of femur (externus) and medial surface of greater trochanter of femur (internus)

Muscle function
Stability of hip, hip external rotation and abduction

Nerve innervation
Externus L3-4 (lowett reactor C2-3)
Internus L5-S1 (lowett reactor C1)

Primary muscle type
Tonic / Type I (60-70%)

Myofascial lines
None

Primary inhibatory muscles
Tensor fascia latae, Rectus femoris

Organ relationship (T1-L2, Sacrum, n. Vagus)

  • Heart (AK)
    • Symp – T1-6 (Cardiac plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Lungs (AK)
    • Symp – T2-T6 (Pulmonary plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Spleen (AK)
    •  Symp – T5-T9 (Celiac plexus) 
    •  Parasymp – None (CX minimal)
  • Large intestine (FA)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Mesenteric and Hypogastric plexus)
    •  Parasymp – CX (Vagus) and S2-S4 (Sacral plexus)
  • Bladder (FA)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric plexus)
    •  Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)
  • Reproductive organs (FA)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric, Ovarian and Testicular plexus)
    •  Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)
Internal part
Client is supine with the knee in a 45 deg. flexion and the foot placed alongside the edge of the table. Stabilize the opposite hip and apply pressure on the knee toward adduction – trying to push the knee across the opposite leg.
External part
Client is supine with the hip in a 100 deg. flexion, full external rotation and with the shin horizontal. Stabilize the knee with one hand and apply pressure towards hip internal rotation by pulling outwards on the lower part of the lower leg.

Functional anatomy for

Obturator internus / externus

Related joints

  • Hip joint

Associated muscles

Release exercises

Corrective strength exercises

Functional Rehab Academy

Manual and practical therapy strategies that will help you find the root cause(s) and achieve faster and better results with your clients.

Functional Rehab Academy is a part of:
Move2Peak Academy ApS, Denmark
contact@functionalrehabacademy.com