[2] The medial and lateral portions of the quadriceps tendon pass down on either side of the patella to be inserted into the upper extremity of the tibia on either side of the tuberosity; these portions merge into the capsule, as stated above, forming the medial and lateral patellar retinacula.

[citation needed] The posterior surface of the patellar tendon is separated from the synovial membrane of the joint by a large infrapatellar pad of fat, and from the tibia by a bursa.

In the event of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the patellar tendon can be used in the rehabilitation process.

In this case, the middle one third of the patellar tendon is harvested and inserted through tunnels that are drilled into the femur and tibia.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 340 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)