Gracilis: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 13: Line 13:
* It is innervated by the anterior branch of the [[Obturator Nerve|obturator nerve]].
* It is innervated by the anterior branch of the [[Obturator Nerve|obturator nerve]].
* Crosses at both the [[hip]] and [[knee]] joints.  
* Crosses at both the [[hip]] and [[knee]] joints.  
* The gracilis may is prone to strain injuries, resulting in [[Adductor Tendinopathy|adductor tendinopathy]]<nowiki/>eg common in soccer, hockey, football, and basketball athletes<ref name=":2">Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, bony pelvis and lower limb, thigh quadriceps muscle. Available:https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/22380 (accessed 19.1.2022)</ref>. [[File:Gracilis.gif|thumb|490x490px|<ref>Gray, Henry. ''Anatomy of the Human Body.'' Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/illus430.html</ref>Gracilis muscle]]
* The gracilis may is prone to strain injuries, resulting in [[Adductor Tendinopathy|adductor tendinopathy]]<nowiki/>eg common in soccer, hockey, football, and basketball athletes<ref name=":2">Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, bony pelvis and lower limb, thigh quadriceps muscle. Available:https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/22380 (accessed 19.1.2022)</ref>.


=== Anatomy ===
=== Anatomy ===
=== Origin ===
[[File:Gracilis Origin.png|thumb|514x514px|Adductor gracilis of right side : outline and attachment-areas.]]
'''Origin'''
 
The gracilis muscle originates from the inferior ischiopubic ramus, and body of pubis.<ref name=":0">Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human anatomy & physiology. 10th ed. Boston, Ma: Pearson; 2016.</ref>
The gracilis muscle originates from the inferior ischiopubic ramus, and body of pubis.<ref name=":0">Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human anatomy & physiology. 10th ed. Boston, Ma: Pearson; 2016.</ref>


=== Insertion ===
'''Insertion'''
 
The gracilis muscle decends almost vertically down the leg and inserts on the medial tibia at the [[Pes Anserinus Bursitis|Pes anserinus]].<ref name=":0" /> The pes anserinus is also the attachment site of the [[Sartorius]] and [[Semitendinosus]]. The muscles attached here can be remembered by the acronym sargent or "SGT" for Sartorius Gracilis semiTendinosus.  
The gracilis muscle decends almost vertically down the leg and inserts on the medial tibia at the [[Pes Anserinus Bursitis|Pes anserinus]].<ref name=":0" /> The pes anserinus is also the attachment site of the [[Sartorius]] and [[Semitendinosus]]. The muscles attached here can be remembered by the acronym sargent or "SGT" for Sartorius Gracilis semiTendinosus.  


=== Nerve ===
'''Nerve'''
 
The gracilis muscles is innervated by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve (L2-L4). The anterior branch of the obturator nerve also innervates the adductor longus, and sometimes [[Adductor Brevis|adductor brevis]].<ref name=":0" />
The gracilis muscles is innervated by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve (L2-L4). The anterior branch of the obturator nerve also innervates the adductor longus, and sometimes [[Adductor Brevis|adductor brevis]].<ref name=":0" />


There are 5 to 7 muscle fiber bundle compartments in the gracilis muscle, with nerve branches coursing along each compartment, indicating possible independent neuromuscular compartment functioning.<ref name=":2" />
There are 5 to 7 muscle fiber bundle compartments in the gracilis muscle, with nerve branches coursing along each compartment, indicating possible independent neuromuscular compartment functioning.<ref name=":2" />


=== Artery ===
'''Artery'''
 
The gracilis muscle receives blood supply from the medial circumflex femoral artery.<ref name=":0" />
The gracilis muscle receives blood supply from the medial circumflex femoral artery.<ref name=":0" />



Revision as of 12:26, 19 January 2022

Original Editor - Eric Henderson

Top Contributors - Eric Henderson, Lucinda hampton, Candace Goh, Joao Costa and Vidya Acharya

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Gracilis Muscle

The gracilis is a spiral unipennate muscle in the medial thigh compartment.

The gracilis:

  • Assists with hip adduction, knee flexion, and knee internal rotation.
  • It is innervated by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve.
  • Crosses at both the hip and knee joints.
  • The gracilis may is prone to strain injuries, resulting in adductor tendinopathyeg common in soccer, hockey, football, and basketball athletes[1].

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Adductor gracilis of right side : outline and attachment-areas.

Origin

The gracilis muscle originates from the inferior ischiopubic ramus, and body of pubis.[2]

Insertion

The gracilis muscle decends almost vertically down the leg and inserts on the medial tibia at the Pes anserinus.[2] The pes anserinus is also the attachment site of the Sartorius and Semitendinosus. The muscles attached here can be remembered by the acronym sargent or "SGT" for Sartorius Gracilis semiTendinosus.

Nerve

The gracilis muscles is innervated by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve (L2-L4). The anterior branch of the obturator nerve also innervates the adductor longus, and sometimes adductor brevis.[2]

There are 5 to 7 muscle fiber bundle compartments in the gracilis muscle, with nerve branches coursing along each compartment, indicating possible independent neuromuscular compartment functioning.[1]

Artery

The gracilis muscle receives blood supply from the medial circumflex femoral artery.[2]

Function[edit | edit source]

Due to it's attachment on the tibia, the gracilis flexes the knee, adducts the thigh, and medially rotate the tibia on the femur.[3]


Clinical relevance[edit | edit source]

Groin injuries or groin strain (strain of the adductor muscles) commonly occur in high impact sports that involve ballistic movements or stretching. Tearing of the muscles usually occur at proximal region near bony attachments at the pelvis[4] The gracilis muscle is also commonly used as a donor muscle flap in microsurgery. Because of the muscle type II blood type the muscle can be commonly placed in several sites on the body for reconstructive purposes. The gracilis can be used in fascial reconstructive surgery as well as to repair hand muscles.

Assessment[edit | edit source]

The gracilis muscle can be tested by placing the patient in seated with the therapists hand placed on the patients distal tibia, Have the patient adduct, medially rotate, and flex the hip, as well as flex the knee.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Injury or surgery to the gracilis can be rehabilitated through a standard progression of isometrics -> isotonics -> tendon loading to improve strength during functional activities.

Resources[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, bony pelvis and lower limb, thigh quadriceps muscle. Available:https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/22380 (accessed 19.1.2022)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human anatomy & physiology. 10th ed. Boston, Ma: Pearson; 2016.
  3. Gracilis. Available from: https://rad.washington.edu/muscle-atlas/gracilis/ (accessed 15 May 2018).
  4. Teach Me Anatomy. Muscles in the Medial Compartment of the Thigh. Available from: https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/thigh/medial-compartment/ (Accessed on 19 May 2020)