patella

(noun)

A sesamoid bone found in the knee, commonly known as the knee cap.

Related Terms

Examples of patella in the following topics:

  • Patella (The Knee)

    • The patella (knee cap) is the bone between the fibula and femur.
    • The patella or knee cap is the bone between the fibula and femur.
    • Each leg has a patella to protect its knee joint.
    • The patella serves two functions:
    • The apex of the patella faces inferiorly and connects to the tibia tuberosity through the patella ligament that attaches to the anterior surface.

  • Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome

    • Patellofemoral pain syndrome is discomfort originating from the contact of the posterior of the patella (kneecap) with the femur.
    • Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a syndrome characterized by pain or discomfort seemingly originating from the contact of the posterior surface of the patella (back of the kneecap) with the femur (thigh bone).
    • The result is thinning and softening of the articular cartilage under the patella and/or on the medial or lateral femoral condyles, synovial irritation and inflammation, and subchondral bony changes in the distal femur or patella known as "bone bruises".
    • Quadriceps strengthening is commonly suggested because the quadricep muscles help to stabilize the patella.
    • This image shows the relationship of the patella to the femur.

  • Muscles that Cause Movement at the Knee Joint

    • The patella is the attachment point for the quadriceps femoris muscle and is the attached by a ligament to the tibia.
    • The patella additionally protects the knee joint from damage.
    • Attachments: The vastus lateralis, intermedius, and medialis originate from the femur and attach to the patella.
    • The rectus femoris originates from the pelvis and attaches to the patella.
    • Actions: Extends the lower leg at the knee joint and stabilizes the patella.

  • Tibia and Fibula (The Leg)

    • The tibia, or shin bone, spans the lower leg, articulating proximally with the femur and patella at the knee joint, and distally with the tarsal bones, to form the ankle joint.
    • On the anterior surface of the proximal region and inferiorly to the condyles is the tibial tuberosity to which the patella ligament attaches.
    • The fibula also spans the lower leg, although proximally it does not articulate with the femur or patella.

  • The Appendicular Skeleton

    • The thighs and legs have 8 bones: The left and right femur (thigh, 2), patella (knee, 2), tibia (2) and fibula (leg, 2).
    • These consist of the femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges.

  • Femur (The Thigh)

    • The femur articulates proximally with the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint, and distally with the tibia and patella to form the knee joint.
    • Two rounded regions, termed the medial and lateral condyles, articulate with the tibia at the most anterior projection of the patella.

  • Overview of the Appendicular Skeleton

    • Thigh and leg (eight bones) - The thigh and leg consist of the femur (two bones that comprise the thighs), Tibia (two bones), Patella (two bones that are the knees), and Fibula (two bones).
    • The femur, tibia, patella, and fibula are all a part of the appendicular skeleton.

  • Types of Synovial Joints

    • In this example, the condyles of the femur join with condyles of tibia and the saddle joint, where the lower end of the femur joins with the patella.

  • Gross Anatomy

    • An example is the patella (knee cap) located in the patellar tendon.