Name

# Patella Ligament

Pronunciation

(pa-tela lig-a-ment)

Innervation

(1) Gray, H: Gray's Anatomy 15th Edition,

pp. 162-163, fig 131-132

(2) Moore, K.L., Clinically Orientated Anatomy 3rd Edition,

pp. 391, fig 5-17

pp. 404, fig 5-27

(3) Gray, H: Gray's Anatomy 15th Edition,

pp. 246

(4) Gray, H: Gray's Anatomy 15th Edition,

pp. 164

Notes

The patella ligament (ligamentum patellae), which attaches the patella to the tibial tuberosity, is a continuation of the quadriceps tendon.

It is the central portion of the common tendon of the knee extensor muscles which is contiued from the patella to the tubicle of the tibia.

It is strong, flat, ligamentous band, about three inches in length, attached, above, to the apex of the patella & the rough depression on its posterior surface; below, to the lower part of the tubercle of the tibia; its superficial fibres being continuous over the front of the patella with those of the tendon of the quadriceps tendon (3).

The patella ligament is continuous with the fibrous capsule of the knee joint.

The superior part of its deep surface is separated from the synovial membrane of the knee joint by a mass of loose fatty tissue called the infrapatellar fatpad. The inferior part of the patellar ligament is seperated from the anterior surface of the tibia by the deep infrapatellar bursa.