pa·tel·la 
(pə-tĕlə)
(pə-tĕlə)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.