patellar tendon
Below the kneecap
The patellar tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone, enabling the leg to straighten when the quadriceps muscle contracts.
It's the structure doctors tap to test the knee-jerk reflex: The doctor struck just below my kneecap and my leg kicked out.
Athletes who jump frequently risk patellar tendinitis, commonly called jumper's knee.
- kneeLeg's middle hinge
- quadricepsFour-part thigh muscle
- kneecapBone shielding leg joint
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- hammerTool for striking nails
jump · basketball · knee jerk · orthopedic · sports medicine · physical therapy · ACL · surgery · extension · rupture · athletic · knee injury · swelling · brace · inflammation · thigh · tap · jerk
patellar, tendon, patella, patellas, tendons, tendinous, tendinitis, tendonitis