Patella Flashcards

Study the patella's structure, articular facets, bony landmarks, tendon and ligament attachments, biomechanics, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the patella?

A triangular sesamoid bone embedded in the quadriceps femoris tendon at the anterior knee.

In This Section

1. What is the patella?

A triangular sesamoid bone embedded in the quadriceps femoris tendon at the anterior knee.

2. What type of bone is the patella?

A sesamoid bone, the largest in the human body.

3. Where is the patella located?

On the anterior aspect of the knee, immediately anterior to the distal femur.

4. What is the general shape of the patella?

Roughly triangular, with a broad superior base and a pointed inferior apex.

5. What are the two principal surfaces of the patella?

The anterior and posterior surfaces.

6. What is the anatomical appearance of the anterior patellar surface?

Rough and convex, with longitudinal striations for tendinous attachments.

7. Which surface of the patella articulates with the femur?

The posterior articular surface.

8. Which part of the femur articulates with the patella?

The patellar surface, also called the femoral trochlea.

9. What type of cartilage covers the patellar articular surface?

Thick hyaline articular cartilage.

10. Which ridge divides the posterior articular surface of the patella?

A vertical ridge separating the medial and lateral articular facets.

11. Which principal articular facet of the patella is usually larger?

The lateral articular facet.

12. What is the odd facet of the patella?

A small articular facet along the extreme medial edge of the posterior patella.

13. Which tendon attaches to the superior base of the patella?

The quadriceps femoris tendon.

14. Which ligament attaches to the inferior apex of the patella?

The patellar ligament.

15. Where does the patellar ligament insert distally?

On the tibial tuberosity.

16. Which structure connects the quadriceps femoris muscle to the tibia through the patella?

The knee extensor mechanism, consisting of the quadriceps tendon, patella, and patellar ligament.

17. What is the principal biomechanical function of the patella?

To increase the moment arm of the quadriceps and improve knee extension efficiency.

18. Which structures attach to the medial and lateral margins of the patella?

The medial and lateral patellar retinacula.

19. Which ligament is an important restraint against lateral patellar displacement?

The medial patellofemoral ligament.

20. What is the relationship between the patella and the infrapatellar fat pad?

The infrapatellar fat pad lies deep to the patellar ligament and inferior to the patella.

21. Which bursa lies between the skin and the anterior surface of the patella?

The prepatellar bursa.

22. Which bursa lies between the distal patellar ligament and the anterior tibia?

The deep infrapatellar bursa.

23. Which arteries contribute to the blood supply of the patella?

Branches of the genicular arterial network, including superior and inferior genicular arteries.

24. At approximately what age does the primary ossification center of the patella usually appear?

Around 3 to 6 years of age, with individual variation.

25. What is a bipartite patella?

A developmental variation in which a secondary ossification center fails to fuse with the main patella.

26. Where is a bipartite patella most commonly located?

At the superolateral portion of the patella.

27. What is the most common direction of patellar dislocation?

Lateral displacement.

28. What type of patellar fracture commonly results from forceful quadriceps contraction?

A transverse patellar fracture caused by tensile forces across the bone.

29. What is prepatellar bursitis?

Inflammation of the bursa superficial to the patella, often associated with repeated kneeling.

30. What is patella alta?

An abnormally high position of the patella relative to the femoral trochlea.