ABSTRACT
The vascularization of the gracilis muscle of the rat is oriented mainly along the
longitudinal axis of the muscle and arises from a muscular artery originating in the
femoral artery. Transillumination study of the muscle after vascular injection with
Microfil demonstrated this anatomic disposition. The gracilis muscle was used either
as a pedicled transfer or as a free flap with anastomoses placed on the femoral pedicle.
Average weight of the muscle before transfer was 429 mg. The cutaneous area of the
muscular artery could be used to monitor the flap or to accomplish a composite myocutaneous
transfer. This muscle flap is a versatile and reliable model for experimental study
of muscle transfer in rats.
