Contents
- Name of bone
- Location/Articulation
- Muscle and ligament attachments
- Surface anatomy
- Radiography
- Physical examination
- Embryology
- Anomalies
- Injuries/Disorders
Name of bone
Patella
Location/Articulation
The patella, also known as the knee cap or kneepan, is a thick, circular-triangular bone that articulates with the femur and covers and protects the knee joint. The largest sesamoid bone in the human body, the patella is attached to the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle, which contracts to extend/straighten the knee. The vastus intermedialis muscle is attached to the base of patella. The vastus lateralis and vastus medialis are attached to lateral and medial borders of patella respectively.
The patella is stabilized by the insertion of vastus medialis and the prominence of the anterior femoral condyles, which prevent lateral dislocation during flexion. The retinacular fibers of the patella also stabilize it during exercise.
Muscle and ligament attachments
Surface anatomy
The primary functional role of the patella is knee extension. The patella increases the leverage that the tendon can exert on the femur by increasing the angle at which it acts.
The patella ossifies between the ages of 2 and 6 years, although in some people, the patella may be absent congenitally or hypoplastic. About 2% of the population has a bipartite patella, which is usually asymptomatic. Direct trauma, however, may produce symptoms that mimic those of a fracture.
Figure 1. Anatomy of the patella
Radiography
Physical examination
Embryology
Anomalies
Injuries/Disorders
- Patella tendonitis
- Patella fracture
