Corpus: Fabella
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This text has been translated by an AI and may sound raw. It will be reviewed shortly. Thank you for your patience!
from Latin: faba - bean
Synonyms: Os sesamoideum musculi gastrocnemii, vesal sesamoid bone
English:
Definition[Bearbeiten]
The fabella is a small bean-shaped sesamoid bone found in about 10-30% of people and is usually embedded in the caput lateralis of the gastrocnemius muscle. It can articulate with the lateral femoral condyle. The fabella is slightly more common in women than in men. In rare cases, several such bones are found.
Function[Bearbeiten]
As a sesamoid bone, the fabella increases the virtual lever arm of the gastrocnemius muscle so that less muscle strength is required. It also serves as a spacer for the tendon, protecting it from pressure damage as it passes over the knee joint.
Clinic[Bearbeiten]
If the fabella is painful due to pressure or spontaneous pain, it is referred to as a fabella dolorosa. As a result, the fabella is often surgically removed. Furthermore, the sesamoid bone can lead to compression of the common peroneal nerve.
Sometimes the fabella is mistaken for a splintered bone fragment on an X-ray of the knee.