The base of the patella is its broad upper border, which faces upward and slightly forward. The quadriceps tendon attaches to it, with rectus femoris and vastus intermedius inserting on its front portion and the vastus medialis and lateralis blending in at its sides. Together with the pointed apex below, it gives the kneecap its triangular outline.
| Articulations |
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|---|---|
| Landmarks |
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| Ossification | The patella ossifies from several centres appearing at about 3-6 years of age that coalesce; incomplete fusion of a superolateral centre produces a bipartite patella. |
The base of the patella is where the quadriceps tendon attaches, and quadriceps tendon ruptures in older adults usually occur within about 2 cm of it, causing an inability to straighten the knee and a gap above the kneecap. The superolateral corner of the base is where a bipartite patella, an unfused accessory ossification centre, is most often found; it must not be confused with a fracture. Quadriceps tendinopathy causes pain at the base with jumping and squatting.
Complete tear of the quadriceps tendon at or near the base of the patella, usually in middle-aged or older adults, causing loss of active knee extension.
A separate fragment at the superolateral corner of the patella from failure of fusion of an ossification centre; usually painless but can become symptomatic after strain.
Overuse pain at the tendon attachment on the base of the patella, aggravated by jumping, squatting and stairs.
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