Muscle
Gracilis
Medial thigh, crosses the knee
High-yield
Only medial-compartment muscle crossing the knee; obturator nerve. Inserts at pes anserinus.
Overview
The most superficial and only two-joint medial thigh muscle, adducting the hip and assisting knee flexion. Used as a tendon/muscle graft.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Body and inferior ramus of the pubis
- Insertion
- Superomedial surface of the tibia (pes anserinus)
- Action
- Adducts the thigh; flexes and medially rotates the leg at the knee
- Innervation
- Obturator nerve (L2, L3)
- Blood supply
- Medial femoral circumflex / deep femoral arteries
Frequently asked questions
What does the gracilis do?
The gracilis adducts the thigh; flexes and medially rotates the leg at the knee.
What nerve innervates the gracilis?
The gracilis is innervated by the obturator nerve (L2, L3).
Where does the gracilis attach?
The gracilis originates from the body and inferior ramus of the pubis and inserts on the superomedial surface of the tibia (pes anserinus).
What is the blood supply of the gracilis?
The gracilis is supplied by the medial femoral circumflex / deep femoral arteries.