Buzz
The fibula and tibia are the two essential bones that form the structure of your lower leg. MytourMost people only pay attention to their shin bones when an issue arises, such as accidentally hitting their leg on a table. Alternatively, you might be curious about the specifics if you've ever experienced a leg fracture.
Start by ensuring you're using the correct terms. While it might be tempting to rhyme them as "tibia and fibia," avoid that mistake. The correct terms are tibia and fibuLA, and they play a crucial role in your leg's functionality.
The Shin Bone's Connected to the ...
The bone you feel when touching your shin is the tibia. It is larger and more prominent than the fibula, positioned at the front. Its structure is typical of what you imagine a bone to be, featuring a head on each end and a straight, smooth shaft in between.
The tibia bears the majority of your body's weight during standing and walking. It links to your knee at its upper end and your ankle at the lower end. Among the long bones in your body, the tibia is the most prone to fractures or breaks. However, due to the significant force required to break it, the fibula is fractured 75 to 85 percent of the time alongside the tibia. Ouch!
The fibula is thinner and has a slight curve. It lies on the outer side of the tibia, meaning it's on the left of your left tibia and the right of your right tibia. Unlike the tibia, the fibula is less palpable because it's smaller and surrounded by more muscle. Its upper end fits beneath the tibia near the knee, while its lower end aligns with the tibia at the ankle in a small groove.
The fibula isn't primarily responsible for bearing weight; instead, it helps keep the lower leg and ankle stable. It assists the tibia and strengthens the ankle, while also serving as an attachment point for muscles. A membrane runs along the length of both bones, connecting them.
Remembering Which Is Which
Differentiating between these two bones can be tricky. A helpful tip is to recall the phrase "Never tell a little fib," as the fibula is the smaller of the two.
Alternatively, remember that the tibia is positioned anteriorly, meaning it's at the front. The fibula, on the other hand, is lateral, situated on the side. The similarity between "fibula" and "lateral," with the shared "la," makes this easier to recall.
Before the 1600s, "Tibia" referred to a Roman flute, particularly one with dual pipes played together. Historically, flutes were crafted from animal bones, though not exclusively from leg bones.
