Patella

Question 1

Anatomical location

Answer 1

Knee cap

Front of the knee joint within patellofemoral groove of femur

Question 2

Bony landmarks

Answer 2

Medial facet - articulates with medial condyle of femur
Lateral facet - articulates with lateral condyle of femur
Both on posterior surface

Question 3

Functions

Answer 3

• Leg extension - enhances leverage that quadriceps tendon can exert on femur, increasing efficiency of the muscle
• Protection - protects anterior aspect of knee joint from physical trauma

Question 4

Patellar dislocation

Answer 4

Patella bone displaced from patellofemoral groove
3% of knee injuries
Mostly lateral, caused by high force impact on patella or sudden forceful twisting
More common in sports such as football, rugby and ice hockey

Question 5

Patellar fracture

Answer 5

Result from direct trauma to the bone or sudden contraction of quads
More common in males and ages 20-50
If fractured into fragments, they will separate; proximal fragment displaced superiorly by quads tendon and distal fragment pulled inferiorly by patellar ligament