Gracilis muscle
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{{Muscle infobox |
Name = Gracilis muscle |
Latin = musculus gracilis |
GraySubject = 128 |
GrayPage = 471 |
Image = Anterior Hip Muscles 2.PNG |
Caption = The gracilis and nearby muscles |
Image2 = Gray432 color.png |
Caption2 = Gracilis labeled at center right. |
Origin = [[ischiopubic ramus]] |
Insertion = [[tibia]] ([[pes anserinus (leg)|pes anserinus]]) |
Action = [[flexion|flex]]es [[hip]], [[knee]] |
Blood = [[medial circumflex (branch of profunda femoral system)]] |
Nerve = [[anterior branch of obturator nerve]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = m_22 |
DorlandsSuf = 12549236 |
}}
The '''Gracilis''' (''Latin:'' slender) is the most superficial muscle on the [[medial]] side of the [[thigh]]. It is thin and flattened, broad above, narrow and tapering below. It arises by a thin aponeurosis from the anterior margins of the lower half of the [[symphysis pubis]] and the upper half of the [[pubic arch]].
The muscle's fibers run vertically downward, ending in a rounded tendon. This tendon passes behind the medial condyle of the [[femur]], curves around the [[medial condyle of tibia|medial condyle of the tibia]] where it becomes flattened, and inserts into the upper part of the medial surface of the body of the [[tibia]], below the condyle. As a result of this the muscle is a lower limb [[adductor]]. At its insertion the tendon is situated immediately above that of the [[semitendinosus]] muscle, and its upper edge is overlapped by the tendon of the [[sartorius]] muscle, which it joins to form the [[pes anserinus]]. The pes anserinus is separated from the [[medial collateral ligament]] of the [[knee-joint]] by a [[Bursa (anatomy)|bursa]].
A few of the fibers of the lower part of the tendon are prolonged into the deep fascia of the leg.
==Microsurgery==
The gracilis muscle is commonly used as a [[flap]] in [[microsurgery]]. According to the classification of Mathes and Nahai it presents a type II blood supply. This allows it to be transferred on its artery derived from the medial circumflex femoral artery. This artery enters the muscle about 10cm from the pubic symphysis. At this point (or 1cm proximal) the nerve also enters.
====Transplantation Sites====
The muscle may be split to reduce bulk for [[facial reanimation]], as well as to repair hand muscles. It can be used to fashion an [[Sphincter ani externus muscle|external anal sphincter]]. <ref name=>{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Keith|title=Essential Clinical Anatomy, 3rd ed|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|year=2007}}</ref>
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray235.png|Right hip bone. External surface.
Image:Gray344.png|Structures surrounding right hip-joint.
Image:Gray430.png|Muscles of the iliac and anterior femoral regions.
Image:Gray434.png|Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions.
Image:Gray549.png|The left femoral triangle.
Image:Gray827.png|Nerves of the right lower extremity. Front view.
</gallery>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{MuscleLoyola|grac}}
* {{GPnotebook|-194314161}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|12|02|07}} - "Muscles of the anterior (extensor) compartment of the [[thigh]]."
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|14|02|02}} - "Muscles that form the superficial boundaries of the [[popliteal fossa]]."
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pembody/body18b}}
* [http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/musclelegs.html#gracilis PTCentral]
{{Gray's}}
{{Muscles_of_lower_limb}}
[[Category:Thigh muscles]]
[[de:Musculus gracilis]]
[[he:השריר העדין]]
[[hr:Vitki mišić]]
[[ja:薄筋]]
[[pl:Mięsień smukły]]
[[sl:Sloka mišica]]