prickly pear, prickly pear cactus(noun) cacti having spiny flat joints and oval fruit that is edible in some species; often used as food for stock. Synonyms: prickly pear, prickly pear cactus. prickly pear(noun) round or pear-shaped spiny fruit of any of various prickly pear cacti.
The quadriceps and patellar tendons can be stretched and torn. Although anyone can injure these tendons, tears are more common among middle-aged people who play running or jumping sports. Falls, direct force to the front of the knee, and landing awkwardly from a jump are common causes of knee tendon injuries.
Tendons connect the knee bones to the leg muscles that move the knee joint. Ligaments join the knee bones and provide stability to the knee: 1  The anterior cruciate ligament prevents the femur from sliding backward on the tibia (or the tibia sliding forward on the femur).igaments join the knee bones and provide stability to the knee: 1  The anterior cruciate ligament prevents the femur from sliding backward on the tibia (or the tibia sliding forward on the femur).