n. pl. pa·tel·lae (-tĕlē) 1. a. A flat triangular bone located at the front of the knee joint. Also called kneecap. b. A dish-shaped anatomical formation. 2. A pan or dish in ancient Rome. [Latin, diminutive of patina, plate, pan; see PATEN.] pa·tellar, pa·tellate (-tĕlĭt, -āt′) adj. |
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