Human Anatomy Part 1 - K. A. Diubenko, A. K. Kolomiitsev, Yu. B. Chaikovsky 2002

Special Part
Free part of the lower limb, pars libera membri inferioris
Patella

The patella is a large sesamoid bone (Fig. 68C, D) that protects the front of the knee joint. The upper border of the bone is rounded and known as the Base of the patella, or basis patellae. The lower border forms the apex, or apex patellae. The posterior surface is articular, facies articularis, and is divided into two halves by a vertical articular crest. The anterior surface, facies anterior, is rough and corresponds to the course of the quadriceps Muscle.

Ossification. In newborns, the patella is cartilaginous. Ossification centers appear between 3 and 5 years of age and fuse by 6 to 7 years of age.



Last update: 08/08/2026

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