- Patellar ligament
Infobox Ligament
Name = Patellar ligament
Latin = ligamentum patellae
GraySubject = 93
GrayPage = 340
Caption = Rightknee-joint . Anterior view. (Ligamentum patellae visible at bottom left, belowpatella .)
Caption2 =
From =patella
To =tuberosity of the tibia
System =
Precursor =
MeshName = Patellar+Ligament
MeshNumber = A02.513.514.475
DorlandsPre = l_09
DorlandsSuf = 12492768
The patellar ligament (anterior ligament) is the central portion of the common tendon of theQuadriceps femoris , which is continued from thepatella to the tuberosity of thetibia .It is a strong, flat, ligamentous band, about 8 cm. in length, attached, above, to the apex and adjoining margins of the patella and the rough depression on its posterior surface; below, to the tuberosity of the tibia; its superficial fibers are continuous over the front of the patella with those of the tendon of the Quadriceps femoris.
The medial and lateral portions of the tendon of the Quadriceps pass down on either side of the patella, to be inserted into the upper extremity of the tibia on either side of the tuberosity; these portions merge into the capsule, as stated above, forming the medial and lateral patellar retinacula.
The posterior surface of the ligamentum patellæ is separated from the
synovial membrane of the joint by a large infrapatellar pad of fat, and from the tibia by a bursa.It is also sometimes called the "patellar
tendon ". [ [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=34200 Patellar tendon definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms ] ]ee also
*
Patellar reflex
=AdditionalReferences
External links
* [http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/900 The KNEEguru - educational site packed with knee content with sections on patellar problems]
* - "Muscles of the anterior (extensor) compartment of the leg."
*
* (NormanAnatomyFig|antkneejointopenflexed)
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