what is the function of the fibula?

Question

if the tibia is the only weight-bearing bone..then what does the fibula bone doing??

Answer 1

Stabilization and rotation of the foot. The fibula allows for more muscles to be attached on the lower leg... increasing strength, flexibility and stability of the entire lower leg and ankle.

You are correct that the tibia is the primary weight bearing bone, but without the fibula, you'd have a hard time balancing, walking and wiggling your foot around.

The fibula also the bone that is commonly broken when one breaks ones "ankle". There is no actual "ankle" bone, but rather the ankle end (distal) of the fibula that usually breaks.

Answer 2

What the fibula allows is for various muscle attachements and functions without the weight if the tibia and fibula were one giant bone. It also helps articulate triplanar motions of the ankle (movement in three directions at once).

Answer 3

I'm not entirely sure, but I think the fibula allows certain articulations between your knee on on end and the ankle on the other. You are right, the tibia bears the majority of weight bearing, but I guess without the fibula in there "we wouldn't move so well"