Patellar tendon

The patellar tendon is the distal portion of the common

The medial and lateral portions of the quadriceps tendon pass down on either side of the patella to be inserted into the upper extremity of the tibia on either side of the tuberosity; these portions merge into the capsule, as stated above, forming the medial and lateral patellar retinacula.^{[citation needed]}

The posterior surface of the patellar tendon is separated from the synovial membrane of the joint by a large infrapatellar pad of fat, and from the tibia by a bursa.^{[citation needed]}

Clinical significance

The patellar tendon can be injured in a patellar tendon rupture. Because tendon does not regenerate fully in humans,^[3] there is a significant clinical need for research into therapies for patellar tendon rupture.

It can be used as a tissue source in the repair of other ligaments. In the event of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the patellar tendon can be used in the rehabilitation process. In this case, the middle one third of the patellar tendon is harvested and inserted through tunnels that are drilled into the femur and tibia. The portion of the patellar tendon is then drawn through these tunnels in the bone and will be affixed to the bone via screws. The recovery process takes approximately 4–6 months upon the completion of surgery.^[4] This patellar tendon method of reconstruction was traditionally the gold standard graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and is still one of the more preferred methods.^[5][6][7][8]

The insertion of the patellar tendon on the tibia is the location of Osgood–Schlatter disease.

See also

• Patellar reflex
• Patellar tendinitis

Additional images

• 
  Sagittal section of right knee-joint.
• 
  Capsule of right knee-joint (distended). Lateral aspect.
• 
  Patellar tendon. Deep dissection. Anterior view.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 340 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)