THE TIBIA

The tibia is the larger, stronger and medial bone of the lower leg, constituted
by an epiphysis or upper extremity, a diaphysis or body and a lower extremity
also called epiphysis.

It has a medial and lateral condyle in the superior epiphysis, which have a
concave particular area, specially in the center, they articulate with the femur
to form the tibiofemoral joint, which is the part of the kneejoint that bears
the weight. The spinous process (spine of the tibia) divide the medial and
lateral condyle, it shows a lateral and medial intercondylar tubercle, and an
anterior and posterior intercondyloid fossa, which are rough depressions for
the attachment of the menisci and the anterior and posterior cruciate
ligament.

The articular surface for the head of the fibula is triangular, broad above and
narrow below, it is also a large and quite flattened area, anterior in the bone
is a large oblong elevation for the attachment of the patellar ligament called
the tuberosity of the tibia. The proximal extremity of the tibia is widened in
the transverse plane and curved a little bit in the direction of the body of the
bone.

The body of the tibia is triangular in cross section, wider as it approaches the
upper extremity and thinner by the distal part of the bone, it forms three
borders. The anterior border is the most prominent of the three, sinuous and
prominent commences at the tuberosity, the interosseous ridge is between
the external and posterior surfaces. The internal border is the third border of
the tibia, is smooth and rounded and separates the posterior and inner
surfaces.

The popliteal line is in the upper portion of the posterior surface of the body,
it extends obliquely downward from the back part of the articular facet for
the fibula to the internal border. Below the popliteal line is a large and
directed obliquely downward foramen, the nutrient foramen.

The inner surface as oppose to the outer surface that does not have relevant
characteristics, is located beneath the skin, it can be felt clearly, near the
lower part of the bone it becomes more cylindrical.
The distal part of the tibia is smaller, but denser than the distal part of the
body of the tibia, the inferior surface has a process called the medial
malleolus and has a surface for the internal malleolus. The external surface
continues with the inferior surface of the bone and creates the articular
surface for the astragalus. A channel located over the posterior surface of the
internal malleolus serves as the attachment site for the tendon of the tibialis
posticus muscle. The notch in the outer surface of the distal end of the bone
receives the fibula but it is not an articular surface and as a result cartilage
does not cover it.