The patella, also known as the kneecap, is a flat, rounded triangular bone located at the front of the knee joint
. It is classified as a sesamoid bone due to its position within the quadriceps tendon and is the largest sesamoid bone in the body
. The patella has two main functions:
- Leg extension : It enhances the leverage that the quadriceps tendon can exert on the femur, increasing the efficiency of the muscle
- Protection : It protects the anterior aspect of the knee joint from physical trauma
The patella is situated on the front of the knee joint and covers and protects the knee joint itself. Its superior aspect is attached to the quadriceps tendon, and its inferior aspect connects to the patellar ligament, which attaches to the tibia (shin bone)
. The patella has a triangular shape with anterior and posterior surfaces, and its apex is the most inferior (lowest) part of the bone, giving attachment to the patellar ligament
