Skip to main content
. 2023 Jun 1;43(6):e220177. doi: 10.1148/rg.220177

Figure 4.

Quadriceps angle, or Q angle. This angle is formed by the intersection of lines drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine to the center of the patella, and from the center of the patella to the tibial tubercle. An increased Q angle is associated with an increased magnitude of laterally directed forces on the patella (blue arrows) and thus increases the risk of lateral patellar maltracking and dislocation. Femoral anteversion, genu valgum, tibial tubercle lateralization, external tibial torsion, and foot pronation can contribute to an increased Q angle.

Quadriceps angle, or Q angle. This angle is formed by the intersection of lines drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine to the center of the patella, and from the center of the patella to the tibial tubercle. An increased Q angle is associated with an increased magnitude of laterally directed forces on the patella (blue arrows) and thus increases the risk of lateral patellar maltracking and dislocation. Femoral anteversion, genu valgum, tibial tubercle lateralization, external tibial torsion, and foot pronation can contribute to an increased Q angle.