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Interactive Hip:
Patella
By Primal Pictures
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a small sample of the Interactive Hip CD
in the ground breaking Primal Pictures 3-D Anatomy CD ROM series.
Patella
The patella, the largest sesamoid bone in
the body, is embedded in the tendon of
quadriceps femoris, and is located anterior
to the tibio-femoral articulation. Its outline is
somewhat in the shape of an inverted
triangle with the apex of the bone directed
inferiorly. Thus it possesses a base, lateral
and medial borders and an apex. The base
is a relatively expansive surface and
receives the lower end of the quadriceps tendon. The patella is part of
the knee joint extensor mechanism.
The patella has an anterior surface, which is gently convexed forwards.
It often shows a number of small perforations (for nutrient vessels) and a
few ridges, but is otherwise featureless.
The posterior surface of the patella carries a large, smooth, undulant and
quadrangular articular area. This facet occupies the upper four-fifths or
so of the posterior surface of the patella, and is covered by a continuous
plate of articular hyaline cartilage. A vertical ridge on this articular
surface divides the area into lateral and medial facets, the lateral facet
usually being larger and significantly more concave. These two facets of
the patellar articular surface are apposed to the corresponding femoral
condyles, while the vertical ridge separating them faces the groove on
the anterior aspect of the lower end of femur between the two femoral
condyles. The medial patellar articular facet is further subdivided into two
narrow vertical regions by means of a faint ridge, the medial of the two
regions coming into contact with the medial femoral condyle in extreme
flexion of the knee.
Attached to the apex of the patella and the adjoining part of the posterior
patellar surface is the patellar ligament, the inferior continuation of the
quadriceps tendon. Attached to the medial and lateral borders of the
patella are, respectively, the medial and lateral patellar retinacula.
Superficial to these retinacula, the medial and lateral patellar borders
receive the attachments of the lowest fibers of vastus medialis and
vastus lateralis respectively.
Ossification
The patella is cartilaginous at birth. Multiple ossification centers appear
around the age of three years in girls, and at around the fourth or fifth
year in boys. These centers fuse with each other; ossification usually
being complete by the time of puberty.
Patellar Ligament
The
patellar ligament (ligamentum patellae)
may be regarded as the distal continuation
of the quadriceps tendon. It extends from
the apex of the patella (the inferior pole of
the patella) to the upper half of the anterior
surface of the tibial tuberosity. The tibial
attachment of the patellar ligament is
indicated on the dry bone by a smooth facet
on the upper half of the tibial tuberosity. The
patellar ligament is a strong, flat band to whose medial and lateral edges
are attached, respectively to the medial and lateral patellar retinacula.
Respectively superficial and deep to the patellar ligament are the
superficial and deep infrapatellar bursae. The patellar ligament is
approximately 6 to 8cms long.
Patellar Plexus
The
in
patellar plexus is a plexus of cutaneous
(sensory) nerves located in the superficial fascia
front of, and around the patella. The patellar
plexus receives contributions from the following
nerves:
1. Medial cutaneous nerve of thigh (branch of femoral nerve).
2. Intermediate cutaneous nerve of thigh (branch of femoral nerve).
3. Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh (branch of lumbar plexus).
Infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve.
Patella - Surface Anatomy
The patella is part of the knee joint extensor
mechanism and is readily palpable. It is the
largest sesamoid bone in the body and is
embedded in the tendon of quadriceps
femoris, anterior to the tibio-femoral
articulation. Its outline is somewhat in the
shape of an inverted triangle with the apex
of the bone directed inferiorly. Thus it
possesses a base, lateral and medial
borders and an apex. The base is a relatively expansive surface and
receives the lower end of the quadriceps tendon .
Attached to the apex of the patella and the adjoining part of the posterior
patellar surface is the patellar ligament, the inferior continuation of the
quadriceps tendon. Attached to the medial and lateral borders of the
patella are, respectively, the medial and lateral patellar retinacula.
Superficial to these retinacula, the medial and lateral patellar borders
receive the attachments of the lowest fibers of vastus medialis and
vastus lateralis respectively.
Ossification
The patella is cartilaginous at birth. Multiple ossification centers appear
around the age of three years in girls, and at around the fourth or fifth
year in boys. These centers fuse with each other, ossification usually
being complete by the time of puberty.
Patella: Apex
The
is at
apex of the patella is the narrow and somewhat
pointed lower pole of the patella. Attached to the
apex of the patella and to the adjacent posterior
surface of the patella just below the articular
facet is the patellar ligament. The patellar apex
the level of the tibial plateau.
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