Q angle

Q an·gle

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

Q angle

the angle of incidence of the quadriceps muscle relative to the patella. The Q angle determines the tracking of the patella through the trochlea of the femur. As the angle increases, the chance of patellar compression problems increases.

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