Anatomy of Tibia Bone

Tibia Overview

• Main bone of the lower leg, forming the shin
• Expands at proximal and distal ends, articulating at knee and ankle joints respectively
• Second largest bone in the body, playing a key role in weight-bearing

Proximal Tibia

• Widened by medial and lateral condyles, which aid in weight-bearing
• Condyles form a flat surface, known as the tibial plateau
• Articulates with femoral condyles to form the key articulation of the knee joint
• Located between condyles, the intercondylar eminence projects upwards on either side as medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles
• Intercondylar tubercles are the main site of attachment for ligaments and menisci of the knee joint
• Articulates with the intercondylar fossa of the femur

Shaft of Tibia

• Prism-shaped, with three borders and three surfaces: anterior, posterior, and lateral
• Anterior border is palpable subcutaneously down the anterior surface of the leg as a shin
• Proximal aspect of anterior border is marked by the tibial tuberosity, attachment site for the patella ligament
• Posterior surface is marked by the Soleal line, site of origin for part of the soleus muscle
• Soleal line extends inferomedially, eventually blending with the medial border of the tibia
• Usually, a nutrient artery is located proximal to the Soleal line
• Lateral border (Interosseous border) gives attachment to the interosseous membrane that binds the tibia and fibula together

Distal End of Tibia

• Widens to assist with weight-bearing
• Medial malleolus is a bony projection continuing inferiorly on the medial aspect of the tibia
• Articulates with tarsal bones to form part of the ankle joint
• On the posterior surface of the tibia, there is a groove through which the tendon of tibialis posterior passes
• Laterally, there is a fibular notch, where the fibula is bound to the tibia, forming the tibiofibular joint

Tibia Overview

• Main bone of the lower leg, forming the shin
• Expands at proximal and distal ends, articulating at knee and ankle joints respectively
• Second largest bone in the body, playing a key role in weight-bearing

Proximal Tibia

• Widened by medial and lateral condyles, which aid in weight-bearing
• Condyles form a flat surface, known as the tibial plateau
• Articulates with femoral condyles to form the key articulation of the knee joint
• Located between condyles, the intercondylar eminence projects upwards on either side as medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles
• Intercondylar tubercles are the main site of attachment for ligaments and menisci of the knee joint
• Articulates with the intercondylar fossa of the femur

Shaft of Tibia

• Prism-shaped, with three borders and three surfaces: anterior, posterior, and lateral
• Anterior border is palpable subcutaneously down the anterior surface of the leg as a shin
• Proximal aspect of anterior border is marked by the tibial tuberosity, attachment site for the patella ligament
• Posterior surface is marked by the Soleal line, site of origin for part of the soleus muscle
• Soleal line extends inferomedially, eventually blending with the medial border of the tibia
• Usually, a nutrient artery is located proximal to the Soleal line
• Lateral border (Interosseous border) gives attachment to the interosseous membrane that binds the tibia and fibula together

Distal End of Tibia

• Widens to assist with weight-bearing
• Medial malleolus is a bony projection continuing inferiorly on the medial aspect of the tibia
• Articulates with tarsal bones to form part of the ankle joint
• On the posterior surface of the tibia, there is a groove through which the tendon of tibialis posterior passes
• Laterally, there is a fibular notch, where the fibula is bound to the tibia, forming the tibiofibular joint

Tibia Overview

• Main bone of the lower leg, forming the shin
• Expands at proximal and distal ends, articulating at knee and ankle joints respectively
• Second largest bone in the body, playing a key role in weight-bearing

Proximal Tibia

• Widened by medial and lateral condyles, which aid in weight-bearing
• Condyles form a flat surface, known as the tibial plateau
• Articulates with femoral condyles to form the key articulation of the knee joint
• Located between condyles, the intercondylar eminence projects upwards on either side as medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles
• Intercondylar tubercles are the main site of attachment for ligaments and menisci of the knee joint
• Articulates with the intercondylar fossa of the femur

Shaft of Tibia

• Prism-shaped, with three borders and three surfaces: anterior, posterior, and lateral
• Anterior border is palpable subcutaneously down the anterior surface of the leg as a shin
• Proximal aspect of anterior border is marked by the tibial tuberosity, attachment site for the patella ligament
• Posterior surface is marked by the Soleal line, site of origin for part of the soleus muscle
• Soleal line extends inferomedially, eventually blending with the medial border of the tibia
• Usually, a nutrient artery is located proximal to the Soleal line
• Lateral border (Interosseous border) gives attachment to the interosseous membrane that binds the tibia and fibula together

Distal End of Tibia

• Widens to assist with weight-bearing
• Medial malleolus is a bony projection continuing inferiorly on the medial aspect of the tibia
• Articulates with tarsal bones to form part of the ankle joint
• On the posterior surface of the tibia, there is a groove through which the tendon of tibialis posterior passes
• Laterally, there is a fibular notch, where the fibula is bound to the tibia, forming the tibiofibular joint