Fabella

As Fabella (Lat. diminutive of Latin faba " bean "), even Os sesamoideum musculi gastrocnemius or Vesalisches sesamoid (after Andreas Vesalius ), refers to a sesamoid bone ( an intercalated in a tendon ossicles ) in the tendon of origin of the gastrocnemius muscle. It is located on the rear side of the knee immediately above the condyle of the femur.

In consideration of lateral radiographs of the knee joint is often the question of a traumatic bone fragment blasted off in the room. The Fabella, has, however, in contrast to a fragment from all sides without cortical discontinuity and is to be regarded as a normal variation.

Furthermore, the differential diagnosis involve in this context is the Stieda Pellegrini -Köhler - shadows, an ossification in the tendon of the adductor magnus, gracilis, or in the inner knee sideband ), the acquired ( calcification ) or can be caused by trauma. This, however, occurs only medially ( innenseitlich ) on.

Physiologically the Fabella is a kind of pulley ( med fulcrum ) which made ​​possible by favorable angle of the tendons effective muscle forces.

The Fabella comes at 10 to 20 % of all people in the origin of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle before, when women gain slightly more often than men. Rare to find 2 or 3 of these bones ( Fabella bi- or tripartita ). When predators (eg dogs, cats) occur Fabellen always on both sides, so in the tendons of both heads of the gastrocnemius muscle on.

" Fabella Syndrome"

Walking in a patient pain from the area from where the Fabella is, then in some cases is used ( as a working diagnosis) of the jargon term " Fabella Syndrome". If the Fabella in special cases actually starting point and cause of the symptoms ( Fabella dolorosa ) could be carried out under circumstances in pioneering indication surgical removal.

• Bones of the lower extremity
• Knee