Definition of Fibula

Fibula: The lateral (outside) and smaller of the two long bones in the lower leg between the knee and ankle. (The other bone in the lower leg is the tibia.)

The fibula is not weight bearing. It articulates (comes together to form a joint) with the tibia above and with the tibia and the talus bone below.

The word "fibula" comes from the Latin meaning clasp or brooch. The fibula was likened to a clasp attaching it to the tibia to form a brooch. The fibula is also called the calf bone.