Patella

Question 1

Where is the patella located?

Answer 1

At the front of the knee joint, within the patellofemoral groove of the femur

Question 2

Where does the patella attach?

Answer 2

Superiorly to the quadriceps tendon

Inferiorly to the patallar ligament

Question 3

What is the patella classified as?

Answer 3

A sesamoid type bone

Question 4

Why is the patella classified as a sesamoid type bone?

Answer 4

Due to its position within the quadriceps tendon

Question 5

What shape is the patella?

Answer 5

Triangular

Question 6

Where is the apex of the patella situated?

Answer 6

Inferiorly

Question 7

What is the apex of the patella connected to?

Answer 7

The tibial tuberosity

Question 8

How is the apex of the patella connected to the tibial tuberosity?

Answer 8

By the patella ligament

Question 9

What does the base of the patella form?

Answer 9

The superior aspect of the bone

Question 10

What does the base of the patella provide?

Answer 10

The attachment area for the quadriceps tendon

Question 11

What does the posterior surface of the patella articulate with?

Answer 11

The femur

Question 12

What is the posterior surface of the patella marked by?

Answer 12

Two facets, the medial facet and the lateral facet

Question 13

What does the medial facet of the patella articulate with?

Answer 13

The medial condyle of the femur

Question 14

What does the lateral facet of the patella articulate with?

Answer 14

The lateral condyle of the femur

Question 15

What are the main functions of the patella?

Answer 15

Leg extension

Protection

Question 16

How is the patella involved in leg extension?

Answer 16

Enhances the leverage that the quadriceps tendon can exert on the femur, increasing the efficiency of the muscle

Question 17

How is the patella involved in protection?

Answer 17

Protects the anterior aspect of the knee joint from physical trauma

Question 18

What happens in patellar dislocation?

Answer 18

The patella bone is displaced out of the patellofemoral groove

Question 19

What % of knee injuries does patellar dislocation account for?

Answer 19

~3%

Question 20

In what manner do most patellar dislocations occur?

Answer 20

Laterally

Question 21

What are patellar dislocations caused by?

Answer 21

A high force impact on the patella or a forceful, sudden twisting of the knee

Question 22

What do patellar fractures usually result from?

Answer 22

Direct trauma to the bone, or sudden contraction of the quadriceps muscle

Question 23

Who are patellar fractures more common in?

Answer 23

Males in the 20-50 age range

Question 24

What happens if the patella fractures into fragments?

Answer 24

They will usually separate- the proximal fragment displace superiorly by the quadriceps tendon, and the distal fragment pulled inferiorly by the patellar ligament