Each lateral pelvic wall has three major apertures through which structures pass between the pelvic cavity and other regions: the obturator canal, the greater sciatic foramen, and the lesser sciatic foramen.
At the top of the obturator foramen is the obturator canal, which is bordered by the obturator membrane, the associated obturator muscles, and the superior pubic ramus (Fig. 5.31). The obturator nerve and vessels pass from the pelvic cavity to the thigh through this canal.