Patella

latin: Os patella

common: Kneecap

De kneecap is a triangular bone at the front of the knee joint, located in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle. A groove on the thigh bone allows the kneecap to slide up and down while the joint is in motion, and at the same time prevents it from moving left or right. This way the efficiency of the quadriceps muscle in extending the knee is increased.

Doctors can use the tendon just below the kneecap to check some automatic reflexes. By softly hitting the tendon with a patellar hammer (shown in the photo), the stretch sensor of the muscle is activated (causing the muscle to "think" that it is overstretched). As a reaction the lower leg suddenly moves up in a kicking movement, which is called a knee-jerk or patellar reflex. If this reflex is weaker or stronger than normal, this can be an indication of some problems in the nerval system (usually this indicates problems in the spinal cord in the back).

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