malleolus

[ muh-lee-uh-luhs ]

/ məˈli ə ləs /

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noun, plural mal·le·o·li

[muh-lee-uh-lahy]. /məˈli əˌlaɪ/. Anatomy.

the bony protuberance on either side of the ankle, at the lower end of the fibula or of the tibia.

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Origin of malleolus

1685–95; <Latin: small hammer, mallet, equivalent to malle(us) hammer + -olus-ole¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use malleolus in a sentence

The talus is felt in front of the tibia, and the malleoli appear to be displaced backwards and to lie nearer the sole.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
In all these injuries the body of the talus loses its normal relationship with the malleoli.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
Examples of this are fractures of the internal or external malleoli, following forcible eversion or inversion of the foot.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern
In the majority of cases there is an accompanying fracture of either one or both malleoli or of the shaft of the fibula.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

If there is extensive comminution of the os calcis or astragalus, the malleoli may be a little lower than normal.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

British Dictionary definitions for malleolus

malleolus

/ (məˈliːələs) /

noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)

either of two rounded bony projections of the tibia and fibula on the sides of each ankle joint

Derived forms of malleolus

malleolar, adjective

Word Origin for malleolus

C17: diminutive of Latin malleus hammer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012