[The fat body of the obturator canal]

In addition to the obturator nerve and vessels a fat body in the obturator canal is found in the majority of cases investigated. The fat body, small and isolated in newborns, is part of the subperitoneal mass of fat and loose areolar tissue in adults. In the 2 cases of obturator hernia the fat body has no connection with the peritoneum which constitutes the sac of the hernia. A strong fibrous cord running from the urinary bladder to the fat body of the obturator canal is observed in 46 cases. In 5 of these the cord causes a small pouch in the wall of the bladder.