INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

6-9

Authors: DR. POONAM VOHRA

INTRODUCTION: Patella is the largest sesamoid bone which develops in the of the quadriceps femoris muscle tendon. Morphometric study of patella has great importance for surgical orthopedic procedures, forensic evaluations, and evolutionary biology. Also in the non availability of complete skeletal remains patella can be useful for sex determination. AIM: The aim of this study was to gather a baseline data for dimensions of patella and determination of its significance in sex identification. METHODOLOGY: We studied 60 patella bones (30 male and 30 female) of both sides from the bone bank in the Department of Anatomy, Sakshi Medical College, Madhya Pradesh. Parameters measured were maximum thickness, maximum width and maximum height. RESULTS: The mean value of patellar thickness in male and female was 20.01 mm & 18.56 mm respectively; while mean of patellar width in male and female were 41.23 mm & 39.11 mm respectively. For patellar height means for male and female were 42.89mm and 40.21mm respectively. Comparison in male and female for all parameters shows high statistical significance (p>0.001). CONCLUSION: Patella can be taken into consideration for determination of sex particularly non availability of long bones, skull, and pelvis. The average value and its standard deviations from mean for all three parameters will help much more to orthopedic surgeons, forensic experts, clinicians.