Which bone does the patella articulate with?

The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, articulates primarily with the femur. This articulation occurs at the knee joint, where the patella plays a crucial role in facilitating movement and providing stability during activities like walking, running, and jumping. The patella develops within the quadriceps tendon and serves to protect the knee joint while enhancing the mechanical leverage of the quadriceps muscles. This leverage improves the efficiency of knee extension, making it an essential structure within the lower limb.

In contrast, the fibula, humerus, and tibia do not directly articulate with the patella. The fibula is a bone of the lower leg but does not connect to the kneecap, while the humerus is the upper arm bone. The tibia, although it is a major weight-bearing bone in the lower leg and forms part of the knee joint, does not share a direct articulation with the patella as the patella primarily engages with the femur.