fibula

American  

[fib-yuh-luh] / ˈfɪb jə lə /

noun

• fibulae,
  plural
• fibulas
  plural

1. Anatomy. the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg, extending from the knee to the ankle.

2. Zoology. a corresponding bone, often rudimentary or ankylosed with the tibia, of the leg or hind limb of an animal.

3. a clasp or brooch, often ornamented, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

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fibula British  

/ ˈfɪbjʊlə /

noun

1. the outer and thinner of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the human leg Compare tibia

2. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

3. a metal brooch resembling a safety pin, often highly decorated, common in Europe after 1300 _bc

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fibula Scientific  

/ fĭb′yə-lə /

• fibulae
  plural

1. The smaller 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

Derived Forms

• fibular
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• fibulae
  plural
• fibulas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fibula

1665–75; < New Latin; Latin fībula bolt, pin, clasp, probably < *fīvibula, equivalent to fīv ( ere ), early form of fīgere to fasten, fix + -i- -i- + -bula suffix denoting instrument; the bone so called from its resemblance to the tongue of a clasp

Compare meaning

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

• tibia vs. fibula

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fibula fibulae fibulas

He sustained a fractured right fibula and tibia, a displaced ankle and torn ligaments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

But the Sweden striker has endured a year to forget, with a serious ankle injury that included a fibula fracture ruling him out for three months and other smaller issues affecting his availability.

From BBC ● May 26, 2026

Albie-Junior Thomas, from Holywell in Flintshire, was born without a fibula in his left leg and had his foot removed at 15-months-old.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

"Tests carried out on Monday... confirmed that she suffered a fracture... of the fibula on the left ankle," Barcelona said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Dec. 1, 2025

The fibula of Booth’s lower left leg, a thin bone that is not intended to bear weight, snaps just above his ankle.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

His meticulously assembled forest of skulls, femurs, tibiae, and fibulae isn’t sacrilege; it’s a memorial.

From Salon ● Jan. 23, 2026

He was born with unformed fibulae, and his legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.

From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2017

Born without fibulae, the now 39-year-old’s lower legs were amputated when she was very young.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 15, 2015

Known as the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius is a double amputee who wears curved carbon fiber blades where his fibulae ought to be.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2012

Several fibulae were found in the drains of the bath-house.

From Roman Britain in 1914 by F. (Francis) Haverfield

Photograph: Michael Buholzer/Reuters History of a champion athlete turned murderer 1986 Oscar Pistorius is born in Sandton, South Africa, with no fibulas.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 12, 2016

Mr. Pistorius was born without fibulas and had his lower legs amputated when he was 11 months old.

From New York Times ● Oct. 20, 2014

Pistorius was born without fibulas, one of the two long bones in the lower leg.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 24, 2012

Pistorius, born without fibulas and who had his lower legs amputated when a baby, uses carbon fiber prosthetic running blades and is hoping to qualify for the 400 meters at the Games.

From Reuters ● Jun. 27, 2012

There was a woman living in Bavaria, under the observation of Buhl, who had congenital absence of both femurs and both fibulas.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Walter L. (Walter Lytle) Pyle