Alberta Written Barber Practice Exam

The kneecap is anatomically known as the patella. This small, flat, triangular bone is crucial for the articulation of the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). It sits in front of the knee joint and provides protection as well as improved leverage for tendons, allowing for better movement of the leg.

The other bones listed have different roles: the tibia, also known as the shinbone, supports the weight of the body and connects the knee to the ankle; the femur is the thigh bone, the longest bone in the body, which supports much of the body's weight and allows for leg movement; and the fibula is a slender bone located next to the tibia that helps stabilize the ankle but does not support body weight directly. Thus, patella is the term specifically used to refer to the kneecap, distinguishing it from the other bones mentioned.