The Patella ________

Question

The patella ________.
A) is a sesamoid bone
B) is normally on the lateral aspect of the knee joint
C) has a smooth, concave anterior surface
D) forms part of a ball and socket joint
E) forms within the tendon of the vastus medialis muscle

Accepted Answer

The patella is a sesamoid bone, meaning it is a bone that develops within a tendon (in this case, the tendon of the quadriceps muscle) and helps to increase the leverage of the muscle during movement. The other choices are incorrect - the patella is normally on the anterior aspect of the knee joint, not the lateral aspect (B is incorrect); the patella has a smooth, convex anterior surface, not a concave surface (C is incorrect); the patella does not form part of a ball and socket joint (D is incorrect); and while the patella is associated with the vastus medialis muscle, it doesn't technically form within the tendon of that muscle (E is incorrect).