Alta means 'high'.
A positional word
Alta is a word to describe a structure that is in an anatomical position which is higher than normal, eg patella alta.
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CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Patellar maltracking is prevalent among patellofemoral pain subjects with patella alta: an upright, weightbearing MRI study. Pal S, Besier TF, Beaupre GS, Fredericson M, Delp SL and Gold GE. J Orthop Res. 2013 Mar; 31(3): 448–457.