Kneecap

Kneecap
The medical name for the kneecap is the patella. Whichever name — kneecap or patella — you prefer, it is the small bone that is in the front of the knee. The patella is a sesamoid bone, a little bone that is embedded in a joint capsule or tendon, in this case the tendon of insertion of the quadriceps muscle (the "quad"). The patella in an adult is about 2 inches (5 cm) across. If the patella is shattered beyond repair, it can be removed. The operation is termed a patellectomy. Patella is a Latin word that refers to a "small pan, dish or plate." As a saucer, the patella is quite paltry and cannot have held much.
* * *
SYN: patella.

* * *

knee·cap 'nē-.kap n PATELLA

* * *

knee·cap (neґkap) patella.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • kneecap — knee cap v. t. to break the knees of, especially by shooting in the kneecap; often done by criminal or terrorist groups as a warning or punishment. Note: Syn: knee cap. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • kneecap — [nē′kap΄] n. PATELLA vt. kneecapped, kneecapping to maim by shooting or drilling the kneecap, often as an act of terrorism …   English World dictionary

  • kneecap — knee cap , n. 1. (Anat.) A roundish, flattened, sesamoid bone in the tendon in front of the knee joint; the patella; the kneepan. [1913 Webster] 2. A cap or protection for the knee …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • kneecap — (n.) 1650s, a covering or protection for the knee, from KNEE (Cf. knee) (n.) + CAP (Cf. cap) (n.). Meaning bone in front of the knee joint is from 1869; the verb in the underworld sense of to shoot (someone) in the knee as punishment is attested… …   Etymology dictionary

  • kneecap — ► NOUN ▪ the convex bone in front of the knee joint; the patella. ► VERB ▪ shoot in the knee or leg as a punishment …   English terms dictionary

  • kneecap — I UK [ˈniːˌkæp] / US [ˈnɪˌkæp] noun [countable] Word forms kneecap : singular kneecap plural kneecaps the bone at the front of your knee II UK [ˈniːˌkæp] / US [ˈnɪˌkæp] verb [transitive] Word forms kneecap : present tense I/you/we/they kneecap… …   English dictionary

  • kneecap — n. knee bone, patella; knee protector, knee pad v. shoot in the kneecap or knee; cripple by shooting in the kneecap …   English contemporary dictionary

  • kneecap — v. To undermine a person or injure a person s reputation in a particularly vicious manner. kneecapping n., pp. kneecapper n. Example Citations: The Reagans is an outrage, a kneecapping of a true American hero and a spit in the face of decency by… …   New words

  • kneecap — knee|cap1 [ ni,kæp ] noun count the bone at the front of your knee kneecap knee|cap 2 [ ni,kæp ] verb transitive to shoot someone in the knee, especially as a violent punishment …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • kneecap — noun Date: 1869 patella …   New Collegiate Dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”