During 20 degrees of knee flexion, which part of the patella is most commonly in contact?

In 20 degrees of knee flexion, the inferior part of the patella is most commonly in contact with the femoral condyles. As the knee flexes, the patella begins to engage more with the underlying femur, particularly in the area of the patellar groove. At this angle of flexion, the inferior pole, or the lower part of the patella, makes contact due to the alignment of the patella with the femoral surface below.

Understanding the anatomy of the patella and its relationship with the femur is crucial here. The patella acts as a fulcrum for the quadriceps tendon, and its positioning changes with degrees of knee flexion. In early flexion stages, like at 20 degrees, the inferior aspect of the patella is typically lower in the groove and makes the first contact as the knee flexes further, illustrating the importance of this part in joint function during flexion.

In contrast, at greater flexion angles, different parts of the patella engage with the femur, which is why the choice of another segment would not be accurate for this specific degree of knee flexion.