Patella

Definition

The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, is a small, flat, triangular bone located at the front of the knee joint. It protects the knee and connects the muscles in the front of the thigh to the tibia.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The patella is a sesamoid bone, which means it is embedded within a tendon.
2. It improves leverage for the quadriceps muscle group during leg extension.
3. The patella articulates with the femur to form part of the knee joint.
4. It plays a crucial role in protecting the underlying structures of the knee during movement.
5. Patellar tracking refers to how well the patella moves within its groove on the femur.

Review Questions

Related terms

Femur: The longest and strongest bone in the body, located in the thigh and articulating with both hip and knee joints.

Tibia: The shinbone or larger and stronger of the two bones in the lower leg, connecting with both knee and ankle joints.

Quadriceps: A group of four muscles located at the front of the thigh responsible for extending (straightening) the leg.