The Tibia

The tibia, or shin bone, is the inner and thicker of the two long bones in the lower leg. Its upper end is concave, and makes the knee joint with the femur. The tibia provides the support in the lower leg; its attached to the much thinner fibula by ligaments.

The front of the tibia lies just below the skin; you can easily feel it with your fingers. The lower end of the tibia forms part of the ankle joint.

On the inside of the ankle, the tibia is thicker, and sticks out to form a large bump called the 'medial malleolus'. On the outside of the ankle is a bump called the 'lateral malleolus', which is sometimes called the ankle bone.

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