anatomy/patella·Bone
Kneecap
Patella
The flat, triangular bone at the front of the knee. It sits in the quadriceps tendon and improves its leverage.
// Structure & location
The kneecap is embedded in the quadriceps tendon. The quadriceps tendon attaches at the top; at the bottom it continues as the patellar tendon to the tibia. According to OpenStax, it only articulates with the femur: its cartilage-covered back glides in a groove between the femoral condyles.
// Function
It protects the front of the knee joint and works like a pulley. By holding the tendon away from the joint, it gives the quadriceps more leverage to extend the knee.
// For training & sport
- Pain around or behind the kneecap is common in runners and jumping sports (runner's knee).
- Targeted training of the quadriceps and hip muscles is a standard part of treatment.
// Good to know
At birth the kneecap is still cartilage and only turns to bone in the first years of life.
// Sources
last reviewed: 2026-11-14