<P> The technique for detecting the obturator sign, called the obturator test, is carried out on each leg in succession . The patient lies on her / his back with the hip and knee both flexed at ninety degrees . The examiner holds the patient's ankle with one hand and knee with the other hand . The examiner internally rotates the hip by moving the patient's ankle away from the patient's body while allowing the knee to move only inward . This is flexion and internal rotation of the hip . </P> <P> In the clinical context, it is performed when acute appendicitis is suspected . In this condition, the appendix becomes inflamed and enlarged . The appendix may come into physical contact with the obturator internus muscle, which will be stretched when this maneuver is performed on the right leg . This causes pain and is evidence in support of an inflamed appendix . </P> <P> The principles of the obturator sign in the diagnosis of appendicitis are similar to that of the psoas sign . The appendix is commonly located in the retrocecal or pelvic region . The oburator sign indicates the presence of an inflamed pelvic appendix . </P> <P> Evidence shows that the obturator test does not adequately diagnose appendicitis . </P>

A positive obturator sign would elicit pain in the