What three muscles blend together to form the pes anserinus tendon?

• A. Semitendinosus, gracilis, sartorius
• B. Biceps Femoris, Semimembranosus, Gracilis
• C. Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis
• D. Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer: (A)

Pes anserinus is formed by the conjoined tendons of three muscles that insert on the medial side of the proximal tibia, just below the knee joint. Those muscles are sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus. Collectively their tendons come together to create a common insertion often nicknamed the goose-foot because of the way the tendons fan out onto the tibia. This arrangement helps stabilize the medial knee and links hip and knee movements: sartorius contributes to hip flexion and knee flexion, gracilis assists with thigh adduction and knee flexion, and semitendinosus adds knee flexion and internal rotation. Other muscle groups listed have different insertions and functions, so they do not form this shared tendon.