noun
patella
puh-TELL-uh/pəˈtelə/
The bone at the front of the knee.
The model highlights the patella at the front of the knee.
Etymology
The pieces mean “small pan” or “little dish.” The kneecap received this name because its shape suggested a small, shallow vessel.
In context
bone that sits in front of the knee during flexion and extension of the joint the patella should move up and down
More examples
- The scan showed a fractured patella.
- She located the patella on the anatomical model.
- Both patellae were visible in the image.
Forms
patella · patellae · patellas
Similar words
- kneecap
- Kneecap is the everyday word for the patella.
- femur
- The femur is the thigh bone; the patella is the small bone at the front of the knee.