patella /pa·tel·la/ (pah-tel´ah) [L.] a triangular bone, about 5 cm in diameter, situated at the front of the knee in the tendon of insertion of the quadriceps muscle. Called also knee cap. patel´lar
Patella
patella
pa·tel·la (p -t l )n. pl. pa·tel·lae (-t l ) 1. A flat triangular bone located in the combined tendon of the extensors of the leg and covering the front surface of the knee joint. Also called kneecap. 2. A pan-shaped anatomical formation. pa·tel lar, pa·tellate (-tl t, - t ) adj. |   anterior (left) and lateral views of knee joint: A. patella, B. femur, C. tibia, D. fibula |
Patella
The kneecap.
Mentioned in: Nail-Patella Syndrome
patella
[pətel′ə]
Etymology: L, small dish
a flat, large sesamoid bone at the front of the knee joint, having a pointed apex that attaches to the patellar ligament. The convex anterior surface of the bone is perforated for the passage of nutrient vessels and covered by an expansion from the tendon of the quadriceps femoris. Also called kneecap.
patella
pl. patellae [L.] a large sesamoid bone at the femorotibial joint. See also Table 10.
patella cubiti
an anomalous sesamoid over the extensor aspect of the elbow.
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