Indian Journal of Scientific Research

The obturator artery is standard branch of anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It runs on the lateral wall of pelvis to enter into thigh region through obturator foremen. Based on previous research studies, it found to be extremely variable in origin and course. It may arise from internal or external iliac artery. The current study includes 60 dissected cadavers to examine the obturator artery origin and the clinical significance. In 70%, the obturator artery arises from the internal iliac artery. It arises either from its anterior or posterior division of the internal iliac artery in 45% or 25% correspondingly. In 30%, the obturator artery arises from the external iliac artery. Therefore, the variability of the obturator artery may carry a high risk of surgical complication. For instance, it carries a high risk of insufficient of vascular supply for demand structures such as proximal adductors attachment and hip joint in case of aneurysmectomy of posterior division. Consequently, vascular surgeons have to pay attention to the posterior division being an origin of the obturator artery beside its usual three classical branches: superior gluteal, iliolumbar and lateral sacral arteries. Further, the obturator artery arising from the external iliac system is in great dangerous of laceration in case of anterior pelvic fracture. Therefore, it may lead to hemorrhagic shock threatening life.