patella

1. (anatomy) The sesamoid bone of the knee; the kneecap.Examples: "Subluxed patellas, more commonly referred to as slipped stifles, like all inherited factors will continue to cripple a breed as long as breeders continue to mate affected animals."; "2005, Roger E. Stevenson, 20: Limbs, Roger E. Stevenson, Judith G. Hall, Human Malformations and Related Anomalies, page 920, Since patella diameter is a feature of continuous variation, the majority of small patellas represent simply the lower extreme of normal anatomic variation."; "Both patellae are well preserved for Dolni Věstonice 3 and 13-15, and the left patella remains for Dolni Věstonice 16 (Figures 18.22 to 18.26)."Synonyms: kneecap, kneepan, rotula

2. (mycology) An orbicular sessile apothecium, with a marginal rim distinct from the thallus.