What is the patella?
What is the patella?
The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body and is located anterior to knee joint within the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle, providing an attachment point for both the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament.
What is the top of the knee cap called?
patella
The patella is a small, triangle shaped bone that sits at the front of the knee, within the quadriceps muscle. It is lined with the thickest layer of cartilage in the body because it endures a great deal of force.
What is patella and its importance?
The patella rides in the tendon of the quadriceps femoris—the largest muscle of the thigh and the primary extensor of the knee. The patella functions to protect the knee joint, to lengthen the lever arm of the quadriceps femoris, and to increase the area of contact between the patellar ligament and the femur.
What type of bone is patella?
The patella (derived from latin means ‘small plate’) is a flat, inverted triangular bone, situated on the front of the knee-joint. It is the largest sesamoid bone, developed in the tendon of the Quadriceps femoris, and resembles these bones as it is… it’s composed mainly of dense cancellous tissue.
What the patella is part of?
Sesamoid bone
The patella is also known as the kneecap. It sits in front of the knee joint and protects the joint from damage. It is the largest sesamoid bone in the body, and lies within the quadriceps tendon….Patella.
| Type | Sesamoid bone |
|---|---|
| Parts | Apex (pointing inferiorly), medial and lateral borders, base (lies proximally) |
What are parts of the knee called?
Knee joint: The knee joint has three parts. The thigh bone (the femur) meets the large shin bone (the tibia) to form the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (the patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint.
What is your knee pit called?
The Popliteal Fossa is a diamond-shaped space behind the knee joint. It is formed between the muscles in the posterior compartments of the thigh and leg. This anatomical landmark is the major route by which structures pass between the thigh and leg.
Can you injure your patella?
An acute injury to the patella (kneecap) can happen from a blow to the knee or a fall. There may be damage to the soft tissues, such as a patellar tendon tear, or a fracture to the bone. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or a feeling of instability or that the joint is locked.
Where is the patellar facet?
locatedlocated directly anterior to a groove between the femur condyles called the patellar surface. Two facets (or depressions) on the posterior side of the patella articulate with the medial and lateral femur condyles.
What causes patellar tendon pain?
Patellar tendonitis happens when someone pushes knee tendon tissues too far, or too fast, over and over again. Repeated jumping and sprinting motions stress and strain the bands of patellar tendon tissues. Over time, lots of minor strains and tiny tears make the tendon tissues weak and sore.
Is the patella a bone or cartilage?
The patella is a small, semi-round bone that sits within the quadriceps tendon. It crosses over the knee joint. The kneecap protects the tendon and ligament structures of the knee joint. It also enhances the movement of the knee.