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Ossicle

An ossicle is a very small bone.

In the context of the knee, the patella sometimes has a small ossicle - an embryological part of the bone which failed to fuse with the rest of the patella. This may be confused with a fracture.

A small ossicle - the fabella - may also sometimes be seen on X-ray at the back of the knee and be confused with a loose body.

Ossicles may also rarely be found in the meniscus or one of the tendons.