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The upper three-quarters of the patella articulates with the femur and is subdivided into a medial and a lateral facet by a vertical ledge which varies in shape. In the adult the articular surface is about 12 cm 2 (1.9 sq in) and covered by cartilage , which can reach a maximal thickness of 6 mm (0.24 in) in the centre at about 30 years of age.
The articular capsule of the knee joint is the wide and lax joint capsule of the knee. It is thin in front and at the side, and contains the patella, ligaments, menisci, and bursae of the knee. [1] The capsule consists of an inner synovial membrane, and an outer fibrous membrane separated by fatty deposits anteriorly and posteriorly. [2]
The patellar tendon is a strong, flat ligament, which originates on the apex of the patella distally and adjoining margins of the patella and the rough depression on its posterior surface; below, it inserts on the tuberosity of the tibia; its superficial fibers are continuous over the front of the patella with those of the tendon of the quadriceps femoris.
The patella rests in the trochlear, which is found in the distal part of the femur. The patella can dislocate from the groove because of trauma or an unnatural twisting of the knee. [5] When dislocated, the soft tissue layer that the patella rests in is damaged; the patella is forced out of its groove and back into place.
Articular surfaces of femur Articular surfaces of tibia. The knee is a modified hinge joint, a type of synovial joint, which is composed of three functional compartments: the patellofemoral articulation, consisting of the patella, or "kneecap", and the patellar groove on the front of the femur through which it slides; and the medial and lateral tibiofemoral articulations linking the femur, or ...
Sesamoid bones vary in number and placement from person to person but are typically found in tendons associated with the feet, hands, and knees. The only type of sesamoid bone that is common to everybody is the kneecap (patella, pl. patellae) which is also the largest of the sesamoid bones. [1]
A tangent to the lateral facet of the patella. With the knee in 20° flexed, this angle should normally open laterally. [16] The patellofemoral index is the ratio between the thickness of the medial joint space and the lateral joint space (L). With the knee 20° flexed, it should measure 1.6 or less. [16]
The tibial tuberosity thus forms the terminal part of the large structure that acts as a lever to extend the knee-joint and prevents the knee from collapsing when the foot strikes the ground. [1] The two ligaments, the patella, and the tibial tuberosity are all superficial, easily palpable structures. [2]