The patella or kneecap is a thick, triangular bone which articulates with the femur and covers and protects the front of the knee joint.

It is a sesamoid bone which develops from the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle, which contracts to straighten the leg.

The patella increases the leverage that the tendon can exert on the femur by increasing the angle at which it acts.

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 ossifies around the ages of 3 to 5.

See also

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location
• Attenuated Patella Alta
• Luxating patella

External links

Skeletal system | Lower limb anatomy

Patel·la | Kniescheibe | Patelo | Rótula | Rotule | Tulang lutut | Rotula (anatomia) | Girnelė | Knieschijf | 膝蓋骨 | Patella | Rzepka | Patela | Jabĺčko | Polvilumpio