Anatomically, the word leg is reserved for that portion of the lower extremity (limb) between the knee and the ankle. The leg has two bones, the tibia and the fibula).

The Tibia

The tibia, or shinbone, is situated in the medial portion of the leg. It is a long bone consisting of a shaft and two extremities.

The superior extremity is expanded into the medial and lateral condyles. Between the condyles is a projection called the intercondylar eminence. Inferior to the condyles on the anterior aspect of the upper tibia is a roughened prominence called the tibial tuberosity. The fibular facet is situated on the posteroinferior aspect of the lateral condyle. The shaft, or body, is somewhat triangular in shape and presents three borders and three surfaces. The anterior border, the most prominent one, is sharp and is called the anterior margin. The interosseous margin, or lateral border, is directed toward the interosseous margin of the fibula and gives attachment to the interosseous membrane connecting the tibia and fibula.

Situated on the distal extremity is a process called the medial malleolus, which forms the prominence on the medial side of the ankle. The fibular notch is a small depression on the lateral border of the distal end of the tibia. The inferior articular surface of the tibia is quadrilateral in shape.

The Fibula

The fibula, or calf bone, is situated on the lateral side of the leg. It is a long, slender bone consisting of a shaft and two extremities. The proximal extremity is somewhat rounded and is called the head. The fibular styloid process, or apex, projects from the superior surface of the head. The distal end, called the lateral malleolus, forms the prominence on the lateral side of the ankle. A common fracture occurring in the leg is called Pott’s fracture. This is a fracture of the distal fibula with frequent involvement of the medial malleolus of the tibia.

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