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The patella

Descriptive anatomy of the anterior sesamoid bone of the knee: orientation, surfaces, attachments, and femoral relations.

  • 20 explained questions
  • 17 flashcards
  • 56 estimated course minutes

Updated

What you will learn

  • Orient a patella and recognize its external landmarks.
  • Describe its surfaces, borders, base, and apex.
  • Relate its articular regions to the stated femoral relations at different knee positions.
  • Explain how patellar fracture or dislocation affects the extensor mechanism and patellofemoral joint.

Course outline

  1. Locating and orienting the patella

    The patella is the anterior bony landmark of the knee, oriented by its apex and articular surface.

    7 min

  2. Anterior surface, base, and apex

    The non-articular patellar landmarks organize attachments of the quadriceps tendon, patellar ligament, and capsule.

    12 min

  3. Posterior surface and articular area

    The posterior surface combines a superior articular area with an extra-articular inferior third.

    14 min

  4. Femoral relations during flexion

    The described patellar articular areas face different femoral landmarks as knee position changes.

    11 min

  5. Clinical implications of the patella

    Relate fracture mechanism, extensor-mechanism continuity, and patellofemoral stability to the patellar surfaces and attachments.

    12 min

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In the same subject

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