Final answer:
The patella is the largest sesamoid bone, situated within the quadriceps tendon and articulates with the femur's patellar surface to prevent tendon wear and increase leverage during knee movements. The femur, featuring the patellar surface, articulates with the patella at the femoropatellar joint, providing stability for the knee.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is the Patella and Patellar Surface of the Femur?
The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, is the largest sesamoid bone in the body. It is embedded within the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle and articulates with the patellar surface of the femur. This interaction occurs at the femoropatellar joint, where the patella slides within a groove on the distal femur.
The patella serves several key functions. It offers protection for the quadriceps tendon by preventing it from rubbing against the bones during knee movements. The patella elevates the tendon away from the joint, providing increased leverage power to the quadriceps femoris muscle during leg extension at the knee. It also acts as a 'dynamic ligament' providing stability and support for the knee joint.
The femur, or the thigh bone, articulates at its upper end with the hip bone and at the lower end with the tibia at the knee joint. The patella only interacts with the femur's patellar surface, and not with the tibia. The knee itself encompasses three articulations, with the femoropatellar joint being one of them, the other two being the medial and lateral tibiofemoral joints between the femur and tibia.