Surgical anatomy of the variations of the arrangement of the tendons of the muscles of the pes anserinus in male adults.

The descriptions of the morphology of the human pes anserinus (the combined insertions of the tendons expansions of medial muscles of the thigh) vary on the arrangement of the muscles and tendons that originate the so-called "goose's foot". Although descriptions found in the literature include up to 7 muscles, most of the authors indicated this anatomical structure as formed only by the insertions of the gracilis, sartorius and semitendinosus muscles. Our aim is to find out in Brazilian male adult cadavers the most frequent disposition of the tendons for application in the orthopedic practice. So far, 60 inferior members of 30 cadavers from the laboratories of the Anatomy Departments of the Medical Schools of the Universities of Mogi das Cruzes and Santos were studied. The dissection was performed in cadavers fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. The specimens were then drawn and photographed. In all 30 cadavers only 3 muscles participated in the formation of the pes anserinus but several variations were found in the disposition of the tendons. Applications of the anatomical knowledge of this tendinous arrangement were discussed.