Categories: Knee Conditions
Anatomy
The kneecap (or patella) is a small bone that sits in front of the knee and provides mechanical advantage for our extensor mechanism (quadriceps muscles) in helping one straighten out there knee. The quadriceps tendon attaches to the upper pole of the kneecap and the patellar tendon attaches to the lower pole of the kneecap.
Normally the kneecap glides smoothly in a groove on the front of the femur (thigh bone). The Back of the kneecap and the front of the femoral groove are coated with smooth cartilage that allows the kneecap to glide smoothly.
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