Overview
It covers most of the medial surface of the thigh, caudal to the sartorius. The gracilis muscles of both sides arise together on the pelvic symphysis, through the symphyseal tendon.
Origin
Pelvic symphysis, through the symphyseal tendon.
Insertion
Medial surface of the proximal tibia, through an aponeurosis continuous with the crural fascia.
Action
Adducts the pelvic limb, extends the hip and flexes the stifle.
Innervation
Obturator nerve (n. obturatorius).
Clinical relevance
Obturator nerve paralysis occurs mainly after a difficult calving with a large calf, from compression of the nerve against the pelvis. The adductors, the gracilis among them, lose their function: the cow cannot keep its pelvic limbs together and, on slippery floors, splays them sideways and falls.