| Origin | Ischiopubic ramus |
| Insertion | Medial surface of proximal tibia (pes anserinus) |
| Action | Adduction of thigh Flexion of hip and knee Medial rotation of the hip and knee |
| Nerve | Anterior branch of obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4) |
| Artery | Medial circumflex femoral artery Superficial femoral artery Deep femoral artery Descending genicular artery Anterior branch of the obturator artery |
Location & Overview
The gracilis is a superficial muscle (close to the skin’s surface) located on the medial (inner) side of the thigh. The insertion of the gracilis is part of the pes anserinus. The pes anserinus is a name for the collection of three tendons which attach on the proximal tibia. The three muscles are: the gracilis, the semitendinosus and the sartorius. Pes anserinus translates from Latin into ‘goose foot’ as the three tendons connect in a three-pronged manner at the location where it connects to the tibia. This looks somewhat like a ‘goose foot’ [1] [2] [3].
Here we can see the gracilis muscle pictured from a superficial view.
Here we can see the gracilis muscle in isolation.
Origin & Insertion
The gracilis originates on the ischiopubic ramus of the hip bone and works its way down the inner leg to insert on the medial surface of proximal tibia (just below the knee on the inner side) [4] [5].
The origin of the gracilis is highlighted in red at the ischiopubic ramus.
The insertion of the gracilis is highlighted in blue at the medial surface of proximal tibia and is one of the three muscles of the pes anserinus.
Actions
The main role of the gracilis muscle is adduction of the hip joint. It also assists in flexion of the knee, flexion of the hip and medial rotation of the hip and knee [6] [7].
Innervation
The gracilis is innervated by the anterior branch of obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4) [8].
Blood Supply
Blood is supplied from the medial circumflex femoral artery, superficial femoral artery, deep femoral artery, descending genicular artery and the anterior branch of the obturator artery [9].
Want some flashcards to help you remember this information? Then click the link below:
Gracilis flashcards
References
| ↑1, ↑4, ↑7, ↑9 | Khan IA, Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Thigh Gracilis Muscle. [Updated 2021 Jul 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538229/ |
|---|---|
| ↑2, ↑5, ↑8 | Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincot Williams & Wilkins; 2017. |
| ↑3 | Mohseni M, Graham C. Pes Anserine Bursitis. [Updated 2021 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532941/ |
| ↑6 | Standring S. (2015). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 41st Edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier. |
