DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6271#0095
( 69 f
PATELLA,
Rotula.
The patella, or knee-pan, is a small, triangular, or heart-
shaped spongy bone, situated between the inferior extremity
of the thigh-bone, and the upper part of the tibia.
It is thickest at its middle, and gradually becomes thinner
until it forms its edge: anteriorly it is convex and rough, for
the insertion of muscles and ligament: posteriorly it is smooth,
and divided into two surfaces by a longitudinal line.
Connexion. It is connected to the condyles of the femur
fey ginglymus, and with the tibia by sy neurosis.
The patella covers the anterior part of the knee-joint, and
is kept in this situation by astrongligament which every
where surrounds it, and adheres both to the tibia and os
femoris, forming a part of the capsule. It is likewise
firmly connected with the tibia, by means of a strong
tendinous ligament, an inch in breadth, and upwards
of two inches in length, which adheres to the lower part
of the patella, and to the tuberosity at tiie upper part
of the tibia. On account of this connexion it is very
properly considered as an appendage to the tibia,
w'. ich it follows in ail its motions, so as to be with it
what the olecranon is to the ulna. There is this dif-
ference, however, that the olecranon is a fixed process,
whereas the patella is moveable, being capable of
sliding from above downwards, and from below up-
wards ; which motion is essential to the rotation of
the leg.
Joint. The knee-joint is formed by the condyles of the fe-
mur ; the patella, and the tuberosities of the tibia, united by
the capsular ligament, the crucial ligaments, the lateral liga-
ments, and the ligaments of the patella. Two semilunar car-
tilages are placed on the tibia, forming a more perfect hollow
for the reception of the condyles of the femur. The joint if
PATELLA,
Rotula.
The patella, or knee-pan, is a small, triangular, or heart-
shaped spongy bone, situated between the inferior extremity
of the thigh-bone, and the upper part of the tibia.
It is thickest at its middle, and gradually becomes thinner
until it forms its edge: anteriorly it is convex and rough, for
the insertion of muscles and ligament: posteriorly it is smooth,
and divided into two surfaces by a longitudinal line.
Connexion. It is connected to the condyles of the femur
fey ginglymus, and with the tibia by sy neurosis.
The patella covers the anterior part of the knee-joint, and
is kept in this situation by astrongligament which every
where surrounds it, and adheres both to the tibia and os
femoris, forming a part of the capsule. It is likewise
firmly connected with the tibia, by means of a strong
tendinous ligament, an inch in breadth, and upwards
of two inches in length, which adheres to the lower part
of the patella, and to the tuberosity at tiie upper part
of the tibia. On account of this connexion it is very
properly considered as an appendage to the tibia,
w'. ich it follows in ail its motions, so as to be with it
what the olecranon is to the ulna. There is this dif-
ference, however, that the olecranon is a fixed process,
whereas the patella is moveable, being capable of
sliding from above downwards, and from below up-
wards ; which motion is essential to the rotation of
the leg.
Joint. The knee-joint is formed by the condyles of the fe-
mur ; the patella, and the tuberosities of the tibia, united by
the capsular ligament, the crucial ligaments, the lateral liga-
ments, and the ligaments of the patella. Two semilunar car-
tilages are placed on the tibia, forming a more perfect hollow
for the reception of the condyles of the femur. The joint if