Meaning & use
patellar
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivebefore a nounmedicalspecialist
relating to the patella, the small bone at the front of the knee
Grammar: Almost always comes before a noun: patellar tendon, patellar dislocation.
Patterns
- patellar tendon
- patellar dislocation
- patellar reflex
He tore his patellar tendon while jumping during the game.
The doctor tested her patellar reflex by tapping just below the kneecap.
Patellar instability is common in young athletes who play soccer.
Common combinations
- patellar tendon
- The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone.
- patellar dislocation
- A patellar dislocation can happen when the knee twists suddenly.
- patellar reflex
- The patellar reflex is a simple test of nerve function.
- patellar fracture
- A patellar fracture usually needs surgery if the pieces are separated.
Synonyms and how they differ
- kneecap
- This is the everyday noun for the bone itself, not an adjective; you would say 'kneecap injury' in general writing.
Word family
- patella noun
- the kneecap; the bone at the front of the knee
Commonly confused: patellar or patella? patellar or pectoral?
patellar vs patella
'Patella' is the noun (the bone), while 'patellar' is the adjective (relating to that bone).
patellar vs pectoral
'Pectoral' relates to the chest muscles, not the knee; the sounds are similar but the meaning is different.
Practice
The athlete suffered a ___ tendon injury after landing awkwardly.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'patellar' is needed before the noun 'tendon'. 'Patella' is the noun and cannot modify another noun in this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “patellar”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.