Which bone is the kneecap?

Which bone is the kneecap?

• A. Tibia
• B. Fibula
• C. Femur
• D. Patella

Answer: (D)

The kneecap is the patella. It sits at the front of the knee, embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps, and forms a joint with the femur called the patellofemoral joint. Its main job is to protect the knee and to act like a pulley, increasing the leverage of the quadriceps so the leg can straighten more efficiently. The tibia is the shinbone that bears most of the body's weight, the fibula runs alongside it mainly for muscle attachments and stability, and the femur is the thigh bone that forms the upper part of the knee joint. The patella, a small bone, is the kneecap and is the largest sesamoid bone in the body, which is why it’s specialized to improve the mechanics of knee extension.

The kneecap is the patella. It sits at the front of the knee, embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps, and forms a joint with the femur called the patellofemoral joint. Its main job is to protect the knee and to act like a pulley, increasing the leverage of the quadriceps so the leg can straighten more efficiently. The tibia is the shinbone that bears most of the body's weight, the fibula runs alongside it mainly for muscle attachments and stability, and the femur is the thigh bone that forms the upper part of the knee joint. The patella, a small bone, is the kneecap and is the largest sesamoid bone in the body, which is why it’s specialized to improve the mechanics of knee extension.