Fibula

Looks like

The slim outer bone of the lower leg, from below the knee to the knob on the outside of the ankle.

What it does

Anchors muscles and forms the outer wall of the ankle joint; it bears little weight.

Keeping it well

Breaks in ankle twists. The nerve winding around its top can be pressed by crossed legs or a plaster, causing foot drop.

Its parts

• Head of fibula
• Lateral malleolus
• Right fibula
• Left fibula

Related conditions

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Acromegaly
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Compartment syndrome
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Growing pains
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Lymphangitis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sarcoma
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency