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patella (kneecap)
- the largest sesamoid bone, in the combined tendon of the extensors of the leg, covering the anterior surface of the knee.
Function: -the patella tends to improve the efficiency of the quadriceps in extending the knee
- with normal movement, the patella slides or tracks within the femoral groove as the knee moves through its range of motion
- the medial & lateral retinacula keep the patella centered within the femoral groove opposing the natural tendency towards lateral displacement generated by pull of the quadriceps
Related
compression test
crepitus test
nail-patella syndrome (onychoosteodysplasia)
patellar ligament
patellofemoral pain syndrome; chondromalacia patella (PFPS)
suprapatellar bursa
Specific
articular surface of patella
General
sesamoid bone
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995
- Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed),
WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 812
Component-of
knee
Components
articular surface of patella
Images
images related to patella (kneecap)