- Anatomy:
- origin:
- originates from pubic tubercle & inferior ramus of pubis;
- anterior aspect of lower 1/2 of symphysis pubis and medial of inferior
ramus of pubic arch;
- insertion:
pes arserinus
- action:
- adduction of thigh at the hip; flexion of the leg at the knee;
- medially rotates the femur and tibia;
- reversed origin insertion action: when the leg is fixed, the gracilis flexes
the pelvis at hip;
- synergists:
adductor brevis,
adductor longus,
adductor magnus,
pectineus;
- nerve supply:
obturator,
L2,
L3,
L4; (see
innervation of the lower extremity)
- Gracilis Muscle Flap:
- viability of muscle based on distal blood supply, which is branch of
saphenous artery, is less likely beyond its distal third;
- muscle has three to five vascular pedicles supply it along its length;
- largest and most important of these is the proximal one, which is
branch of the
profunda femoris;
- other vascular pedicles travel along intermuscular septi & are smaller;
- entire muscle can survive on its proximal pedicle, which is largest;
- skin island is totally unreliable in its distal 1/3;
Late reconstruction of the patellar tendon.
