The patella is a small bone located in front of the knee joint — where the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) meet. It protects the knee and connects the muscles in the front of the thigh to the tibia.

Is the patella a bone or cartilage?

The patella is a small, semi-round bone that sits within the quadriceps tendon. It crosses over the knee joint. The kneecap protects the tendon and ligament structures of the knee joint. It also enhances the movement of the knee.

Is kneecap a bone?

The kneecap (the patella) is a triangular bone at the front of the knee. Several tendons and ligaments connect to the kneecap, including ones attached to the upper leg (femur) and lower leg (tibia) bones.