patella
[pә'telә]
n. 膝盖, 髌

[医] 髌, 膝盖; 跗(虫)



patella
patellae
[ noun ]

1. a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint

<noun.body>

2. type genus of the family Patellidae: common European limpets

<noun.animal>

Patella \Pa*tel"la\, n.; pl. {Patell[ae]}. [L., a small pan, the
kneepan, dim. of patina, patena, a pan, dish.]
1. A small dish, pan, or vase.

2. (Anat.) The kneepan; the cap of the knee.

3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of marine gastropods, including many
species of limpets. The shell has the form of a flattened
cone. The common European limpet ({Patella vulgata}) is
largely used for food.

4. (Bot.) A kind of apothecium in lichens, which is
orbicular, flat, and sessile, and has a special rim not a
part of the thallus.