What is foramen ischiadicum minus?

Foramen ischiadicum minus (also known as lesser foramen or obturator foramen) is one of the two foramina (openings) in the ischium bone of the pelvis, the other being the larger foramen ischiadicum majus. The foramen ischiadicum minus lies medial to the ischial spine and is smaller in size than the foramen ischiadicum majus. It is covered by the obturator internus muscle. Through this opening, the obturator artery, vein, and nerve pass, along with the internal pudendal vessels and nerve. These structures supply the muscles and skin of the perineum and the external genitalia. The foramen ischiadicum minus is important in clinical anatomy for surgical approaches to the pelvic region and in diagnosing certain pelvic disorders, such as pudendal neuralgia.