The patella is your kneecap. It’s the bone at the front of your knee joint. Your patella protects your knee joint and supports muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The patella (pl.: patellae or patellas), also known as the kneecap, is a flat, rounded triangular bone which articulates with the femur (thigh bone) and covers and protects the anterior articular surface of the …

Sep 5, 2025 · The patella, also known as the knee cap, protects the knee joint from damage. Learn about the anatomy, function, and associated health conditions.

May 25, 2023 · The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and it lies within the quadriceps tendon in front of the knee joint. The bone originates from multiple ossification centres that develop …

Dec 10, 2025 · The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, is a small, unique bone situated at the front of the knee joint. It is a fundamental component of the human skeletal structure, serving as a …

Apr 28, 2024 · The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, is a small but important bone located in the front of the knee. It plays a significant role in knee mechanics, aiding in movement and stability.

Jul 12, 2025 · The kneecap, or patella, is the bone that covers your knee. The patella provides a mechanical advantage to the quadriceps muscle, which allows your legs to bend and turn safely.

The patella covers and protects the knee A patellar fracture is a break in the patella, or kneecap, the small bone that sits at the front of your knee. Because the patella acts as a shield for your knee joint, …

The knee has three bones: the thighbone (femur), the lower leg bone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). Your kneecap is in the middle of a big tendon that connects your front thigh muscles to your lower …

Key Points The primary functions of the patella are to enhance leg extension and protect the joint of the knee. The patella is a bone embedded within a tendon. This means it is a sesamoid bone.