Cartilaginous process

The patella is a large sesamoid bone located in the tendon of the insertion of the quadriceps muscle of the pelvic limb.

The patella is roughly triangular, presenting:

• A base proximally, roughened for muscular attachment
• An apex distally
• A lateral and a medial border (this one extended medially in horse, ox and cows by the fibrocartilage process)
• An articular surface caudally (divided in horses by a sagittal ridge that occupied the groove between the two rides of the trochlea)
• A cranial surface palpable under the skin