in the human body the patella is commonly known as what
The patella, more commonly known as the kneecap, is the hard, triangular bone that protects the front of the knee joint. Seeming to float in front of the knee joint, it is actually connected by ligaments to the muscles above and below the knee.he patella, also known as the kneecap, is a rounded triangular bone that connects the upper leg to the lower leg. The patella is involved in movements that straighten the leg, such as leg extensions. The knee is the largest and most injured joint in the body. View slideshow of images above.