Tibia vs fibula: how they differ, in 3D
The tibia and the fibula are the two bones of the lower leg: the tibia is the thick inner bone and the fibula the slender outer one. The tibia carries most of the body weight from the femur down to the foot, while the fibula gives attachment to muscles and steadies the outer side of the ankle. The inner ankle bone is the lower end of the tibia, and the outer ankle bone is the lower end of the fibula.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the two bones is part of the knee joint?
The tibia is part of the knee joint, which is formed by the femur, the tibia and the patella. The fibula joins only the tibia, just below and to the outer side of the knee, and does not take part in the knee joint.
Which bone forms the inner and which the outer ankle bone?
The inner ankle bone (medial malleolus) is the lower end of the tibia, and the outer ankle bone (lateral malleolus) is the lower end of the fibula. Together they grip the talus from both sides to form the ankle joint.
Is the fibula the same as the shin bone?
No. The shin bone is the tibia, the thick bone you can feel at the front of the lower leg. The fibula is the slender bone on the outer side of the lower leg, behind and beside the tibia.
The bones compared
Joints they form
Other comparisons
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- Atlas vs axis (C1 and C2)
- Femur vs humerus
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- Scaphoid vs navicular bone
- Carpals vs tarsals
- Metacarpals vs metatarsals
- True vs false vs floating ribs
Skeleton
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Once the 3D model loads you can turn it and select each part.