Name: lower leg bones and ankle landmarks
Uploaded: 2025-05-22T09:05:58.000Z
Duration: 1 min 10 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

9-12

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Support And Motion

Skeletal System

Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

The tibia and fibula constitute the skeleton of the leg between the knee and ankle. The tibia is the prominent weight-bearing bone, while the fibula helps stabilize the ankle joint.
The two bones articulate at the minimally mobile tibiofibular joints and are connected by an interosseous membrane.
The tibia consists of the medial and lateral condyles, a shaft, and the medial malleolus process.
It articulates at its proximal end with the femur via the condyles. On its anterior surface, the patellar tendon attaches at the tibial tuberosity.
Distally, the tibia joins the talus of the foot, supported by the medial malleolus.
Several muscles insert into the tibia, allowing movements at the knee and the ankle joint.
The fibula is stick-like and does not bear body weight. It constitutes the head, shaft, and lateral malleolus process.
The lateral malleolus forms the prominent ankle bulge and joins the talus bone of the foot, providing lateral stability to the ankle.

bones of the lower limb: tibia and fibula

The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for two supporting ligaments of the knee. On its proximal end is an elevated area called the tibial tuberosity, the final site of attachment for the muscle tendon associated with the patella. On the posterior side of the tibia is the roughened ridge called the soleal line to which the posterior leg muscles attach. A large expansion called the medial malleolus is present at the distal tibia forming the large bony bump at the ankle region. On the lateral side of the distal tibia is a wide groove called the fibular notch, which articulates with the distal end of the fibula forming the distal tibiofibular joint.
The fibula is the slender bone located on the lateral side of the leg. It does not bear significant weight but acts as a primary site for muscle attachment. The head of the fibula articulates with the lateral tibial condyle forming the proximal tibiofibular joint. The thin shaft of the fibula has an interosseous border that serves as an attachment site for the interosseous membrane that spans the fibula and tibia. The distal end of the fibula forms the lateral malleolus, which forms the easily palpated bony bump on the lateral side of the ankle. The medial surface of the lateral malleolus articulates with the talus bone of the foot as part of the ankle joint. The distal fibula also articulates with the fibular notch of the tibia.
This text is adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/8-4-bones-of-the-lower-limb">Openstax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Section 8.4: Bones of the lower limb</a>

The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest ...

Education

JoVE Core

Anatomy and Physiology

Unit 1

The Appendicular Skeleton

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

lower leg bones and ankle landmarks

The tibia and fibula are the two bones of the lower leg. The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone. It is larger than the fibula and is the second longest bone in the body. It lies close to the skin, so many of its parts are easy to feel.

The upper end of the tibia helps form the knee joint. Its medial condyle and lateral condyle join with the condyles of the femur. Between them is the intercondylar eminence, an uneven raised area that anchors two supporting ligaments of the knee. The tibial tuberosity is also on the proximal tibia, and it is the final attachment site for the tendon linked to the patella.

The back of the tibia has the soleal line, a rough ridge where posterior leg muscles attach. The lower end of the tibia forms the medial malleolus, the large bony bump on the inside of the ankle. On the lateral side of the distal tibia is the fibular notch. This groove meets the distal fibula and forms the distal tibiofibular joint.

The fibula is the slender bone on the outside of the leg. It does not bear much weight, but it is an important site for muscle attachment. Its head meets the lateral tibial condyle to form the proximal tibiofibular joint. The shaft has an interosseous border, which anchors the interosseous membrane that spans between the tibia and fibula.

The lower end of the fibula forms the lateral malleolus, the bony bump on the outer side of the ankle. Its medial surface joins with the talus bone of the foot as part of the ankle joint. The distal fibula also fits with the fibular notch of the tibia, linking the two lower leg bones at the ankle region.

Lower Leg Bones and Ankle Landmarks

bones of the upper limb: humerus

Humerus Landmarks and Elbow Joints

The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm. It connects the shoulder region to the forearm and helps form the shoulder and elbow joints. In the upper limb, it sits between the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. At the top of the humerus is a smooth, rounded head. It fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula, or shoulder blade, to form the glenohumeral joint. The edge of the head is the anatomical neck, which is a leftover epiphyseal plate. Near the top, the humerus also widens into...

bones of the upper limb: ulna

Ulna: Elbow and Wrist Support Bone

The ulna is a forearm bone that helps support the elbow and wrist. It runs parallel to the radius, and it lies on the medial side of the antebrachium, or forearm. Its shape and joint surfaces help the arm bend, rotate, and stay stable during movement. At the proximal end, the ulna has the olecranon process. This hook-like tip fits into the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. That hinge-like joint allows flexion and extension at the forearm while...

bones of the upper limb: radius

Radius: Forearm Motion and Wrist Support

The radius is the longer bone in the forearm, and it plays a key role in elbow, wrist, and hand movement. It sits beside the ulna in the antebrachium, which is the forearm. At the upper end, the radius meets the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to help form the elbow joint. The lower end of the radius connects with the ulna through the ulnar notch. This connection forms the distal radioulnar joint. The radius also joins the scaphoid and lunate carpal bones at the wrist...

bones of the lower limb: femur and patella

bones-of-the-lower-limb-femur-and-patella

Femur and Patella: Knee and Hip Support

The femur and patella help support movement at the hip and knee. The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It spans the thigh region and connects the hip joint to the knee joint. The head of the femur fits into the acetabulum of the hip bone. A small dip on the medial side of the femoral head is the fovea capitis. This is where the ligament of the head of the femur attaches. That weak ligament runs between the femur and acetabulum and helps support the hip joint. Below the head...

The tibia and fibula are the two bones of the lower leg. The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone. It is larger than the fibula and is the second longest bone in the body. It lies close to the skin, so many of its parts are easy to feel. The upper end of the tibia helps form the knee joint. Its medial condyle and lateral condyle join with the condyles of the femur. Between them is the intercondylar eminence, an uneven raised area that anchors two supporting ligaments of the knee. The tibial...

changes in the appendicular skeleton with age

changes-in-the-appendicular-skeleton-with-age

How Limb Buds Form the Appendicular Skeleton

The appendicular skeleton begins as limb buds on the side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, and the lower limb bud follows soon after. Each limb bud has a core of mesenchyme, which is a loose embryonic tissue, covered by ectoderm, the outer cell layer. A thickened part of the ectoderm forms the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge signals the mesenchyme below it to divide quickly and drive limb outgrowth. As the limb bud grows...

key terms and concepts

Study the tibia and fibula of the lower leg, including knee and ankle landmarks, muscle attachment sites, and the joints that connect these bones.

Lower Leg Bones and Ankle Landmarks | JoVE K12

anatomy and physiology

JoVE Core Anatomy and Physiology showcases the anatomical and physiological details of the human body in comprehensive, clear, and engaging video animations. This collection of lessons focuses on the structures, components, functions, and requirements of the human body. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of this knowledge in real-world medical and research settings.

Florida Department of Education

High School

Life Science

SC.912.L.14

SC.912.L.14.13

SC.912.L.14.14

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Muscular System

Lower Leg Bones and Ankle Landmarks

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