patella
pronunciation
How to pronounce patella in British English: UK [pəˈtelə]
How to pronounce patella in American English: US [pəˈtɛlə]
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- Noun:
- a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint
Word Origin
- patella (n.)
- "knee cap," 1690s, from Latin patella "pan, kneecap," diminutive of patina "pan" (see pan (n.)). So called from its shape. Related: Patellar; patelliform.
Example
- 1. Treatment of comminuted patella fracture with triangular tension band .
- 2. The patella is triangular with its apes directed downward .
- 3. Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place . Luxating .
- 4. There were no abnormal laxity , instability and patella complications .
- 5. To our knowledge , the literature contains no reports of displaced longitudinal stress fractures of the patella requiring open reduction and internal fixation .