Osteology of the Tibia and Fibula Flashcards
Tibia (“shin bone”)
- Long bone with a diaphysis and a proximal and distal epiphyses
- Transfers majority (~ 85%) of weight between femur and talus
Tibia articulates with
- Femur proximally
- Fibula proximal and distal
- Talus inferiorly
Anterior proximal structures of tibia
- Medial/lateral condyles
- Intercondylar eminence
- Anterior/posterior intercondylar fossae (surface)
- Tibial tuberosity
- Gerdy’s tubercle (tubercle of iliotibial tract)
Medial condyle
- Larger with larger articular surface
- Oval shaped
- Palpable
Lateral condyle
- Smaller than medial
- Circular shaped articular surface
- Palpable
- Contains fibular facet
Fibular facet
- Inferior surface of lateral condyle
- Articulates with fibular head
Intercondylar eminence
- Located between condyles
- Medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles
Anterior and posterior intercondylar fossae (surface)
- Anterior and posterior to intercondylar eminence
- Attachment of cruciate ligaments and horns of menisci
Tibial tuberosity
- Attachment of patellar ligament
- Palpable
Gerdy’s tubercle (tubercle of the iliotibial tract)
- Small projection
- Lateral to tibial tuberosity and patellar apex (when knee is extended)
- IT tract attaches
- Palpable
Posterior proximal structures of tibia
- Groove for semimembranosus tendon
- Fibular articular facet
Groove for semimembranosus tendon
- Posteromedial edge of medial condyle
Fibular articular facet
- Facet on lateral condyle
- Articulates with fibular head
Tibial shaft
- From tibial tuberosity to the fibular notch
- 3 borders
3 borders of the tibial shaft
- Anterior (shin)
- Lateral (interosseous)
- Medial border
Anterior (shin) border of tibia
- Subcutaneous
- Very palpable
Lateral (interosseous) border of tibia
- Attachment of interosseous membrane
Medial border of tibia
- Palpable
3 surfaces of tibial shaft
- Medial
- Lateral surface
- Posterior surface
Medial surface of tibial shaft
- Between anterior and medial border
- Faces anteromedially
- Subcutaneous and very palpable
Lateral surface of tibial shaft
- Between anterior and lateral borders
- Site of anterior leg compartment muscle attachment
Posterior surface of tibial shaft
- Between medial and lateral borders
- Soleal line
- Vertical line
Nutrient foramen (canal) is usually located
- Inferior to soleal line
- Canal is angled distally
Soleal line (posterior tibial shaft)
- From fibular facet to medial border of junction of proximal and middle 1/3s of shaft
Vertical line (posterior tibial shaft)
- Descends from center of soleal line
Distal structures of tibia
- Medial malleolus
- Tibial plafond
- Posterior process
- Fibular notch
Distal tibia articulates with
- Talus
Medial malleolus structures
- Subcutaneous, palpable
- Medial malleolar articular facet
- Anterior/posterior colliculus
- Intercollicular groove
- Groove for tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus tendons
Medial malleolar articular facet
- Pear shaped facet
- Lateral surface of medial malleolus
- Covered with articular (hyaline cartilage)
Medial malleolar articular facet articulates with
- Medial talar body
Anterior colliculus of medial malleolus
- Anterior projection
- Extends further inferiorly
- Ligament attachment
Posterior colliculus of medial malleolus
- Ligament attachment
Intercollicular groove of medial malleolus
- Separates colliculi
Tibial plafond
- Rectangle shaped, inferior articular surface
- Lined with articular cartilage
- Continuous with articular facet of medial malleolus
- Articulates with talus
Posterior process
- Posterolateral prominence (3rd malleolus)
- Groove for flexor hallucis longus (depression over process)