# What is the kneecap called?

The kneecap is called the patella. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a small, flat, triangular sesamoid bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps.

## What it means

- A small, flat, triangular sesamoid bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps.
- Its front surface is rough for the tendon; its back surface is smooth cartilage that glides on the femur.
- It protects the front of the knee joint and improves the leverage of the quadriceps.

## Action steps

1. In the front of the knee joint.
2. Sits in the trochlear groove at the lower end of the femur.
3. Attached above to the quadriceps tendon and below to the patellar ligament running to the tibia.

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/107/)

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