Through detailed anatomical study and latex injection of 24 cadaver legs, the blood supply to the skin overlying the gracilis muscle was examined. The proximal pedicle entered the gracilis muscle 10 +/- 2 cm below the pubic tubercle. The dissections identified both septocutaneous and musculocutaneous perforators from the proximal gracilis pedicle. These branches had a pronounced tendency to travel in a transverse direction, supplying the cutaneous territory over the adductor longus and sartorius anteriorly and extending for > 5 cm beyond the posterior margin of the gracilis muscle. This information led to a "new" transverse design of the gracilis musculocutaneous flap, such that the vascular perforators are invariably included in the cutaneous portion of the flap. In contrast, the traditional design, because of skin mobility, may allow elevation outside the skin territory of the muscle perforators.