Slideshow: Patella The Funky Professor videos can be viewed here; http://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/journal/video?videoTaxonomy=FUNK

1. The Patella

2. The Patella is the largest
sesamoid bone in the body
PatellaPatella
A sesamoid bone is a
bone that is embedded in
the tendon of a muscle
Anterior view, right

3. PatellaPatella
The Patella lies in the
tendon of the
Quadriceps muscle
QuadricepsQuadriceps
PatellarPatellar
TendonTendon
Anterior view, right

4. The Patella has a
wide upper border

5. Wide upperWide upper
borderborder
The lower border is pointed and
is called the Patellar Apex
Patellar ApexPatellar Apex
The Patella has a
wide upper border

6. The ventral surface is
convex and ridged
Ventral surfaceVentral surface

7. The posterior surface has articular
facets that articulate with the
Distal Femur

8. The Posterior Surface

9. The Posterior Surface
The upper 2/3rds is smooth
and covered in
hyaline cartilage

10. The Posterior Surface
The upper 2/3rds is smooth
and covered in
hyaline cartilage
It engages with the
Medial and Lateral
Femoral Condyles

11. Patella
Quadriceps Muscle
Patellar Tendon
The patella engages with the
Medial and Lateral
Femoral Condyles

12. The Posterior Surface
There is a prominent
vertical ridge that
divides the
posterior articular
surface into medial and
lateral facets

13. The Posterior Surface
The Lateral Facet is larger
and gently concave

14. The Posterior Surface
The Lateral Facet is larger
and gently concave
Medial Facet

15. The Posterior Surface
The inferior aspect of the
posterior surface is
roughened due, partly, to
the attachment of the
patellar tendon
Medial Facet

16. Patellar Stability
upwards andupwards and
outwardsoutwards

17. The Patella is embedded in the
Tendon of the Quadriceps
upwards andupwards and
outwardsoutwards
On contraction, the Quadriceps pulls the
Patella upwards and outwards

18. upwards andupwards and
outwardsoutwards
This is counteracted by the action of
Vastus Medialis which pulls the Patella inwards
On contraction, the Quadriceps pulls the
Patella upwards and outwards
The Patella is embedded in the
Tendon of the Quadriceps

19. The Lateral Femoral Condyle
projects further forward than the
Medial Femoral Condyle and this
provides a bony obstacle to
lateral movement of the Patella
Lateral FemoralLateral Femoral
CondyleCondyle