This is the smooth, grooved articular surface on the anterior aspect of the distal femur. It extends farther proximally on the lateral condyle than it does on the medial condyle. It forms an articular surface with the posterior aspect of the patella.

From the Latin, patella is the diminutive form of patina denoting a small, broad shallow dish or pan. Today the Italian word for frying pan is padella.

Surface patellaire