rótula
/rotula/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for patella is rótula.
rótula refers to the kneecap, the small bone located in front of the knee joint.
Which one should you use?
While patela is a valid anatomical term in Spanish, rótula is the standard term used in both medical and everyday contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
rótula is a feminine noun, so it is preceded by the feminine article la when saying 'the kneecap' (la rótula).
How do you pronounce it?
/rotula/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, rótula is also used in engineering to describe a ball-and-socket joint.
- The word rótula shares the same Latin root as the English word 'roller', both coming from 'rotula' meaning 'little wheel'.
- While rótula describes the bone, the word rodilla is used by native speakers to refer to both the 'knee' and the 'kneecap' in casual settings.
Examples in context
- El médico examinó la rótula y no encontró ninguna lesión.The doctor examined the patella and found no injuries.
- Me duele la rótula derecha.My right kneecap hurts.
- La rótula es un hueso pequeño.The kneecap is a small bone.
- El médico examinó su rótula.The doctor examined his kneecap.
Example conversation
Mateo is explaining a sports injury to Elena at a clinic.
- Elena¿Qué te pasó, Mateo?What happened to you, Mateo?
- MateoMe golpeé la rótula jugando al fútbol.I hit my kneecap playing soccer.
- ElenaPobrecito, debe de dolerte mucho.Poor thing, it must hurt a lot.
- MateoSí, es un dolor muy agudo.Yes, it is a very sharp pain.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rótula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
