[Normal anatomy of the patella in advanced age].
The form of the kneecap is determined by heredity. It is modified by the various tissue-modeling, functional-mechanical forces acting on it in the course of life. The individual "face" of a patella is the result of these two factors, including any malformations or pathologic changes of the tissue (in particular the cartilage). Numerous measurements were made on patellae of elderly subjects - obtained from autopsies and without any apparent macroscopic changes apart from those which were age-related, such as cartilage color - in order to map the ideal patellar shape, which would appear to be unsusceptible (or less susceptible) to pathologic disturbances.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values
Die normale Anatomie der Kniescheibe im hohen Lebensalter.