Patella tooth sign

Last revised by Ashesh Ishwarlal Ranchod on 15 Jul 2023

Patella tooth sign refers to vertical ridging of the patellar insertion of the quadriceps tendon which can resemble a dentate structure, i.e. "tooth" sign.

Clinical presentation

No correlation with patient's clinical symptoms.

Radiographic features

  • frequent finding with degenerative disease
  • degenerative enthesophyte formation on superior aspect of patella (site of insertion of the quadriceps tendon) as seen on axial or skyline (sunrise) view
  • seen as saw-tooth projections: best seen on axial or skyline view of patella on its superior and anterior surface

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