Definition

The larger bone in the lower leg that runs from the knee to the ankle, commonly known as the shinbone.

Example

He injured his tibia while playing soccer.

Conversation

I heard you hurt your tibia while playing soccer last week.

Yeah, it was pretty painful, but I'm recovering now.

That sounds rough; did you get an x-ray to check it out?

Definitely, the doctor said it was a minor fracture.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Tibia** → The word 'tibia' comes from Latin 'tibia', meaning 'shinbone' or 'pipe'. It originally referred to the leg bone and also to a type of musical pipe, reflecting its shape. The term has been used in anatomy to describe the larger of the two bones in the lower leg.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word 'tibia' meaning 'shinbone' — this helps you remember that 'tibia' refers to the bone in the leg.

Visually Confused Words