patella

noun pa·tel·la \pə-ˈte-lə\

plural pa·tel·lae\-ˈte-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\ or pa·tel·las

Definition of PATELLA

: a thick flat triangular movable bone that forms the anterior point of the knee and protects the front of the joint —called also kneecap

— pa·tel·lar \-ˈte-lər\ adjective

See patella defined for English-language learners

See patella defined for kids

Origin of PATELLA

Latin, from diminutive of patina shallow dish

First Known Use: 1693

Rhymes with PATELLA

Capella, chlorella, favela, glabella, lamella, Mandela, nigella, novella, paella, predella, prunella, quiniela, rubella, sequela, umbrella, vanilla

PATELLA Defined for Kids

patella

noun pa·tel·la \pə-ˈte-lə\

plural pa·tel·lae \-ˈte-lē, -ˈte-ˌlī\ or pa·tel·las

Definition of PATELLA for Kids

: kneecap

Medical Dictionary

patella

noun pa·tel·la \pə-ˈtel-ə\

plural pa·tel·lae \-ˈtel-(ˌ)ē, -ˌī\ or pa·tel·las

Medical Definition of PATELLA

: a thick flat triangular movable bone that forms the anterior point of the knee, protects the front of the joint, increases the leverage of the quadriceps, and is usually regarded as a sesamoid bone since it is developed in the tendon of the quadriceps and in structure is similar to other sesamoid bones—called also kneecap, kneepan

—pa·tel·lar \-ər\ adjective