tibia

American  

[tib-ee-uh] / ˈtɪb i ə /

noun

plural

tibiae, tibias

1. Anatomy. the inner of the two bones of the leg, that extend from the knee to the ankle and articulate with the femur and the talus; shinbone.

2. Zoology.

   1. a corresponding bone in a horse or other hoofed quadruped, extending from the stifle to the hock.

   2. (in insects) the fourth segment of the leg, between the femur and tarsus.

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tibia British  

/ ˈtɪbɪə /

noun

1. Also called: shinbone.  the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle Compare fibula

2. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

3. the fourth segment of an insect's leg, lying between the femur and the tarsus

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tibia Scientific  

/ tĭb′ē-ə /

1. The larger 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

• posttibial adjective
• pretibial adjective
• tibial adjective

Etymology

Origin of tibia

First recorded in 1685–95, tibia is from the Latin word tībia literally, reed pipe

Compare meaning

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

• tibia vs. fibula

Example Sentences

Vonn suffered a complex tibia fracture and other major damage.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

“Basically, I had a complex tibia fracture. I also fractured my fibular head, my tibial plateau — just kind of everything was in pieces,” she said.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

"I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly."

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

American skier Lindsey Vonn says she has "no regrets" after a crash in the women's downhill competition at the Winter Olympics resulted in a "complex tibia fracture" which will require multiple surgeries.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

“Coxa, trochanter, femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus.”

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White