Tibia Flashcards
What is the tibia?
The main bone of the leg, forming what is more commonly known as the shin
Where does the tibia extend?
At the proximal and distal ends
Where does the tibia articulate?
At the ankle and knee joints
What is the function of the tibia?
Weight bearing
What is the tibia widened by the the proximal end?
The medial and lateral condyles
What is the result of the widening of the tibia at the proximal end?
It aids in weight bearing
What do the condyles of the proximal tibia form?
A flat surface, known as the tibial plateau
What does the tibial plateau articulate with?
The femoral condyles
What is formed when the femoral condyles articulate with the tibial plateau?
The major articulation of the knee joint
What is located between the condyles?
A region called the intercondylar eminence
What does the intercondylar eminence consist of?
Two tubercles and a roughened area
What is the roughened area of the intercondylar eminence the main site for?
Attachment for the ligaments and menisci of the knee joint
What do the tibial intercondylar tubercles fit into?
The intercondylar fossa of the femur
Where is the tibial tuberosity found?
On the anterior surface of the proximal tibia
What attaches at the tibial tuberosity?
The patella ligament
What does the shaft of the tibia have?
Three borders and three surfaces; anterior, posterior and lateral
What is the start of the anterior border of the tibial shaft marked by?
The tibial tuberosity
Where is the anterior border of the tibial shaft palpable?
Down the anterior surface of the leg as the shin
What is susceptible to damage where the tibia is palpable as the shin?
The periosteal covering of the tibia
How is damage to the periosteal covering of the tibia present clinically?
Bruising
What is the posterior surface of the tibial shaft marked by?
A ridge of bone called the soleal line
Where does the soleal line run?
Inferomedially
What eventually happens to the soleal line?
It blends with the medial border of the tibia
What happens where the soleal line blends with the medial border of the tibia?
Part of the soleus muscle originates
What is the lateral border of the tibial shaft also known as?
The interosseous border
What does the lateral border of the tibial shaft give?
Attachment to the interosseous membrane that binds the tibia and fibula together
What happens to the distal end of the tibia?
It widens
Why does the distal end of the tibia widen?
To help with weight bearing
What is found on the medial side of the distal end of the tibia?
A bony projection continuing inferiorly, called the medial malleolus
What does the medial malleolus articulate with?
The tarsal bones
What is formed when the medial malleolus articulates with the tarsal bones?
Part of the ankle joint
What is found on the posterior surface of the distal tibia?
A groove
What is the groove on the posterior surface of the distal tibia the site of?
The attachment of the tibialis posterior muscle
What is found laterally on the distal end of the tibia?
The fibular notch
What is the fibular notch the site of?
The binding of fibula to tibula
How common are fractures of the tibia?
Relatively common
Who do tibial fractures most frequently occur in?
The middle aged and elderly
What happens if the fibula is not fractured?
It supports the tibia, and displacement of the fragments is minimal
What site of the tibia is most vulnerable to damage?
The proximal end of the tibia
What does damage to the proximal end of the tibia usually result from?
Some traumatic accident
What may happen in a proximal tibia fracture?
The condyles may be broke up in the fracture
Not uncommon for there to be injury to the ligaments of the knee
What can be fractured in the ankle?
The medial malleolus
What causes a medial malleolus fracture?
The ankle being twisted inwards (overinversion), and so the talus of the foot is forced against the medial malleolus, causing a spiral fracture
