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The patella (kneecap) is located at the front of the knee joint, within the patellofemoral groove of the femur. Its superior aspect is attached to the quadriceps tendon and inferior aspect to the patellar ligament.
The patella has a configuration of a triangle with its apex directed inferiorly. Superiorly, it articulates with the trochlea, the distal articulating surface of the femur, which are the main articulating surfaces of the patellofemoral joint. [5]
The patella sits on the anterior surface of the femoral condyles, and is hence relatively vulnerable. Direct trauma to the knee is the commonest cause of patellar fracture. Symptoms include swelling of the knee and pain in the region. Surgery is the most usual treatment.
The patellar surface of femur articulates with the vertical ridge of patella, contributing to the formation of the patellofemoral joint, and accommodates the gliding of the patella over the distal end of the femur during flexion and extension of the knee joint.
On the anterior surface of the distal femur, toward the anterior apex of the intercondylar fossa is an area known as the patellar surface or trochlear groove. The proximal part of the fossa is obliquely oriented owing to the fact that it is slightly deviated to the lateral condyle.
The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body, located anterior to the knee joint within the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle (see Images. Anterior Patella and Posterior Patella). The patella has the following functions: Serves as an attachment point for both the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament.
The patellofemoral joint is a plane synovial joint formed by the articulation of the patellar surface of femur and the posterior surface of the patella. The patella is a triangular shaped sesamoid bone, with a curved proximal base and a pointed distal apex.
In anatomical terms, the patella is located between the femur of the upper leg and the tibia - fibula of the lower leg. More precisely, it is positioned in front of the patellar surface, a groove between the condyles of the distal end of the femur.
It presents above a smooth, oval, articular area, divided into two facets by a vertical ridge; the ridge corresponds to the groove on the patellar surface of the femur, and the facets to the medial and lateral parts of the same surface; the lateral facet is the broader and deeper.
The patellar surface of femur is the anterior portion of the femur's articular surface that covers both the medial and lateral condyles. It articulates with the patella in the anterior region. This surface features a central groove that extends downward into the intercondylar fossa.