Morphometric analysis of dry human patella – A cross-sectional observational study from Kashmir, North India

Background: The kneecap, also called the patella, is located in front of the knee joint and protects it from injury. It is the most prominent sesamoid bone of the body and is embedded in the quadriceps tendon. The purpose of this study is to perform a detailed morphometric examination of the patella and compare it to specimens from the right and left sides of the patella. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 40 dried patellae were collected from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Srinagar, of which 21 were right-sided and 19 were left-sided specimens. Height, width, and thickness of the patella; length and width of the articular facets on the medial and lateral sides; and length of the central ridge were among the parameters examined in the study. Results: The mean height, width, and thickness of the patella specimens were 4.10 cm, 2.01 cm, and 4.10 cm, respectively, according to morphometric analysis. The dimensions of the articular facet on the lateral side were found to be statistically different from the dimensions of the articular facet on the medial side, with P = 0.05 considered statistically significant. According to Koyunco's classification, 87.5% of the patella specimens belonged to type B. Conclusion: The morphometric analysis of the patella in this study may help to design implants for reconstruction and guide orthopedic surgeons in reconstructive and fixation surgery of the patella.