tibia

American  

[tib-ee-uh] / ˈtɪb i ə /

noun

plural

tibiae, tibias

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.

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tibia British  

/ ˈtɪbɪə /

noun

1. Also called: shinbone.  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

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tibia Scientific  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• posttibial adjective
• pretibial adjective
• tibial adjective

Etymology

Origin of tibia

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

Compare meaning

How does tibia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tibia vs. fibula

Example Sentences

In addition to the previously reported complex tibia fracture, Vonn said Monday that she also fractured her fibular head and tibia plateau on her left leg during the crash.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

“Basically, I had a complex tibia fracture. I also fractured my fibular head, my tibial plateau — just kind of everything was in pieces,” she said.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

She was airlifted off the piste and taken to hospital in Treviso, where she was diagnosed with a "complex tibia fracture" in her left leg.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

"I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly."

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

I learned that the bones in the leg are the femur, the tibia, the patella, and the fibula.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper