Gracilis Muscle

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Hip and Thigh Muscles¹

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions²

Cross-section of middle thigh²

Figure 2: Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral region²

Reading list

• Ch59 Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus, and Gracilis Muscles³
• Neuman⁴
• MMT⁵

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Gracilis	Inferior pubic ramus	Pes anserine	Obturator n. L2 - L3	Hip: Adduction, Flexion Knee: Flexion, IR

Overview

The gracilis is the only primary adductor that crosses the knee.

Origin

• Inferior pubic ramus⁶
• Possibly the inferior side of the pubic symphysis -Dr.K

Insertion

• Pes Anserine of the Tibia (medial border of the tuberosity, along with the tendons of sartorius and semitendinosus)⁶

Innervation

Obturator N. (L2, L3)⁶

Action

Hip: Adduction and Flexion⁶ Knee: Flexion and Internal rotation⁶

Note

According to Brad Jones, the gracilis is a hip flexor until 40° Hip flexion⁷.

Overview

1.

Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details

2.

Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/

3.

Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.

4.

Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

5.

Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.

6.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

7.

Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.