fibula

noun fib·u·la \ˈfi-byə-lə\

medical : the outer one of the two bones below the knee in a person's leg

plural fib·u·lae\-lē, -lī\ or fib·u·las

Full Definition of FIBULA

: the outer and usually smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle in the hind or lower limbs of vertebrates

: a clasp resembling a safety pin used especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans

— fib·u·lar \-lər\ adjective

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Illustration of FIBULA

Origin of FIBULA

Latin, pin, clasp; akin to Latin figere to fasten

First Known Use: 1578

FIBULAS Defined for Kids

fibula

noun fib·u·la \ˈfi-byə-lə\

plural fib·u·lae \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\ or fib·u·las

Definition of FIBULA for Kids

: the outer and smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle

Medical Dictionary

fibula

noun fib·u·la \ˈfib-yə-lə\

plural fib·u·lae \-lē also -ˌlī\ or fib·u·las

Medical Definition of FIBULA

: the outer or postaxial and usually the smaller of the two bones of the hind or lower limb below the knee that is the slenderest bone of the human body in proportion to its length, articulates above with the external tuberosity of the tibia and below with the talus, and has its lower end forming the external malleolus of the ankle—called also calf bone

—fib·u·lar \-lər\ adjective