The two joints both exert force and support weight, but why does the elbow lack a patella-like structure? Is the same true for tetrapods, animals on all fours?
2007-03-09 05:12:15 · 2 answers · asked by X16 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
the patella is the knee cap. you don't have to support the weight with your elbow like you do with the knees. the elbows are supposed to be used for when we do work out in the fields, or some other kind of work. its not meant to hold your weight. and animals don't have knees...it's just a joint. they don't use the joint except to lay down, so they don't use it to help support weight.
2007-03-09 05:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by tweetybird37406 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The creator is a real engineer. For Knee, the force of the body is so great and the patella is fixed accordingly. It protects the hinge joint accordingly. For elbow, that part is fused to the bone and so you can feel the bone tip at your elbow. If you follow the theory of evolution this principle is same with other animals too.
2007-03-09 05:27:00 · answer #2 · answered by atom45 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋