Q angle

Q an·gle

the angle formed by lines representing the pull of the quadriceps muscle and the axis of the patellar tendon.

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Q angle

Quadriceps angle Orthopedics The angle of alignment of the quadriceps; a Q angle of ≥ 20º is considered abnormal and creates a lateral stress on the patella, predisposing it to pathologic changes; contrarily, a normal Q angle does not preclude regional problems–eg, it may underestimate the lateral force on the knee where there is an imbalance between the vastus medialis and lateralis muscles

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.