patellar ligament [L, patella + ligare, to bind] , the central part of the common tendon of the quadriceps femoris. The ligament is a strong flat ligamentous band, about 8 cm long, attached proximally to the apex and the adjoining margins of the patella and distally to the tuberosity of the tibia. Its superficial fibers are continuous over the front of the patella with those of the tendon of the quadriceps femoris.
