Patella is which part of the body?

Jul 12, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My arthritis flared up, so I went to the hospital for an examination. I heard the doctor mention the patella, and I wanted to ask which part of the body the patella refers to.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Shuai
The patella, also known as the kneecap, is an important component of the human knee joint, specifically located at the front center of the knee joint. It is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body, typically triangular or flattened in shape, and embedded within the expanded portion of the quadriceps tendon. The upper end of the patella connects with the quadriceps muscle, while its lower end is firmly attached via the patellar tendon to the tibial tuberosity of the lower leg. The patella not only transmits force, assisting in knee flexion and extension movements, but also plays a role in maintaining stability during knee joint motion. Due to its relatively superficial location beneath the skin, the patella is also prone to external injuries, such as contusions or fractures caused by impacts, falls, and similar incidents.