The patella protects the joint between femur and tibia and, like other sesamoid bones, it is thought to provide some mechanical advantage or leverage to the muscles that move the jointed appendage.

The patella itself is a sesamoid bone, which is a bone embedded within a tendon. You also have sesamoid bones in your hands and feet. The patella is actually the largest sesamoid bone in the body ...

The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and articulates with the trochlear groove of the femur. It usually possesses a median ridge that divides the proximal patella into medial and ...