MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PATELLA IN POPULATION OF SOUTHERN RAJASTHAN- A CADAVERIC STUDY

Background: Patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body. It is present in the tendon of the quadriceps femoris and it lies anterior to the distal femoral condyles. The morphometry of the patella is important in the medicolegal view, designing of implants, and reconstruction procedures of the knee. Since it is a sesamoid bone (periosteum will be absent), the natural healing process will be very difcult. The dimensions of the implant are very important for a successful knee replacement surgery. So, this study aims to provide a morphometric analysis of the dry human patella and to compare the various measurements between right and left-sided patellae. Methodology: Total of 100 dry patella specimens (50 leftsided and 50 right-sided specimens) of unknown age and sex were obtained for the study from the Department of Anatomy, RNT Medical College, Udaipur. The parameters analysed in the study include height, width, and thickness of the patella, length, and width of both articular facets, and central ridge length. Results: The mean values of patellar heights of both sides, the mean values of the medial and lateral articular facet width of right-sided patella, and the mean values of the medial and lateral articular facet width of left-sided patella specimens were found to be statistically signicant. P-values of <0.05 were taken as statistically signicant. Conclusion: The morphometric analysis of the patella can help design implants for reconstruction and in patellar reconstruction and xation procedures.