Bones - Fibula

Question 1

What are the main articulations of the fibula?

Answer 1

1) Proximal tibiofibular joint - articulate with the lateral condyle of the tibia.
2) Distal tibiofibular joint - articulates with the fibular notch of the tibia.
3) Ankle joint - articulates with the talus bone of the foot.

Question 2

Proximal fibula

Bony landmarks?

Answer 2

1) Enlarged head with a articular facet for articulation with the lateral condyle of the tibia.
2) Apex of the head - projects posterolaterally - provides attachment for the biceps femoris.
3) Posterolateral surface of the tibia is where the common fibular nerve can be found.

Question 3

Shaft of the fibula

Bony landmarks?

Answer 3

There are three surfaces - anterior, posterior and lateral. Each surfaces faces its respective compartment of the leg.

Question 4

Distal fibula

Bony landmarks?

Answer 4

Distally, the fibula terminates as the lateral malleolus. This is more prominent than the medial malleolus and can be palapated on the lateral side of the leg.

Question 5

Clinical relevance: fibular fractures

Answer 5

At the ankle, the lateral malleolus is prone to fracture. There are two ways in which this can occur.

The first way is by forced external rotation of the ankle. The force of the talus bone against the malleolus causes a spiral fracture.

The other less common way is eversion. This time it causes a transvese fracture.