The medical term for kneecap is ‘patella’.
The patella is a flat, circular-triangular bone that sits in front of the knee joint. Its primary function is to protect the knee and improve the efficiency of the thigh muscles during movements like walking, running, and jumping. The patella articulates with the femur (thigh bone) and helps to transmit forces from the quadriceps muscle to the lower leg. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the knee joint. Understanding the anatomy and function of the patella is important for diagnosing knee-related injuries and conditions.