noun
- the kneecap; a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee joint
Usage: anatomy
Examples
- The doctor examined her patella after she fell while running.
- He fractured his patella in the skiing accident.
- The patella protects the knee joint from injury.
- Physical therapy helped strengthen the muscles around his patella.
- An X-ray revealed a crack in the patient’s left patella.
- The patella moves when you bend and straighten your leg.