tibia

[ tib-ee-uh ]

noun

, plural tib·i·ae [tib, -ee-ee], tib·i·as.

1. Anatomy. the inner of the two bones of the leg, that extend from the knee to the ankle and articulate with the femur and the talus; shinbone.
2. Zoology.
   1. a corresponding bone in a horse or other hoofed quadruped, extending from the stifle to the hock.
   2. (in insects) the fourth segment of the leg, between the femur and tarsus.

tibia

/ ˈtɪbɪə /

noun

1. Also calledshinbone the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle Compare fibula
2. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates
3. the fourth segment of an insect's leg, lying between the femur and the tarsus

tibia

/ tĭb′ē-ə /

1. The larger of the two bones of the lower leg or lower portion of the hind leg.
2. See more at skeleton

Derived Forms

• ˈtibial, adjective

Other Words From

• tibi·al adjective
• post·tibi·al adjective
• pre·tibi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tibia¹

First recorded in 1685–95, tibia is from the Latin word tībia literally, reed pipe

Word History and Origins

Origin of tibia¹

C16: from Latin: leg, pipe

Example Sentences

He said the 13-week-old had suffered multiple serious injuries including abusive head trauma, retinal haemorrhage, extensive face and neck bruising and a fracture of the tibia.

From BBC

Sticking out his left leg from the open-door vehicle in an attempt to brace for impact, Foster suffered major fractures of his tibia and fibula.

From Los Angeles Times

Outcomes vary for tibia fractures, which are generally rare, but most people need a few months to recover.

From Los Angeles Times

When the resident removed the bone pieces from the sand, they thought that they were actually a human tibia, broken near the ankle, according to the website.

From Los Angeles Times

"I tripped over a step in the garden and managed to, somehow, dislocate my ankle; break my tibia and fibula; and rip two ligaments off the bone. What the heck," said Archibald.

From BBC