patella

Etymology

From Latin patella (“a small pan or dish, a plate; the kneepan, patella”), diminutive of patina (“a broad shallow dish, pan”). Doublet of paella.

noun

1. (anatomy) The sesamoid bone of the knee; the kneecap.
   Subluxed patellas, more commonly referred to as slipped stifles, like all inherited factors will continue to cripple a breed as long as breeders continue to mate affected animals. 2004, Ann Seranne, The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog, page 188
   2005, Roger E. Stevenson, 20: Limbs, Roger E. Stevenson, Judith G. Hall, Human Malformations and Related Anomalies, page 920, Since patella diameter is a feature of continuous variation, the majority of small patellas represent simply the lower extreme of normal anatomic variation.
   Both patellae are well preserved for Dolni Věstonice 3 and 13-15, and the left patella remains for Dolni Věstonice 16 (Figures 18.22 to 18.26). 2006, Erik Trinkaus, “18: The Lower Limb Remains”, in Erik Trinkaus, Jiří Svoboda, editors, Early Modern Human Evolution in Central Europe, page 395
   The patellae may be up to 30° externally rotated at birth. In young children it is considered normal for the patellae to be externally rotated, but by 5 years of age the patellae should face forwards. 2009, P. Tohomson, “14: Assessment of the paediatric patient”, in Ben Yates, editor, Merriman's Assessment of the Lower Limb, page 401
2. A little dish or vase.