What is "patellae"

Patella \Pa*tel"la\, n.; pl. Patell[ae]. [L., a small pan, the kneepan, dim. of patina, patena, a pan, dish.]

1. A small dish, pan, or vase.

2. (Anat.) The kneepan; the cap of the knee.

3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of marine gastropods, including many species of limpets. The shell has the form of a flattened cone. The common European limpet ( Patella vulgata) is largely used for food.

4. (Bot.) A kind of apothecium in lichens, which is orbicular, flat, and sessile, and has a special rim not a part of the thallus.

n. (plural of patella English)

1. n. a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint [syn: kneecap, kneepan]

2. type genus of the family Patellidae: common European limpets [syn: genus Patella]

3. [also: patellae (pl)]

See patella