Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Thigh Gracilis Muscle

Excerpt

The gracilis is a spiral unipennate muscle in the medial thigh compartment. It is innervated by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve. It receives its vascular supply from the medial circumflex, superficial femoral, deep femoral, descending genicular, and the anterior branch of the obturator artery. The gracilis assists with hip adduction, knee flexion, and internal knee rotation. It is the most superficial muscle of the medial thigh. It may suffer strain injury when patients have an adductor strain, a common injury among soccer, hockey, football, and basketball athletes. Surgeons commonly use the gracilis for breast, craniofacial, lower limb, perineal, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and other reconstructive surgeries.