Malleolus

Bone: Malleolus
Coronal section through right talocrural and talocalcaneal joints.
Back of left lower extremity. (Medial malleolus labeled at bottom right.)
Gray's	subject #291 5

Each leg is supported by two bones, the tibia on the inner side (medial) of the leg and the fibula on the outer side (lateral) of the leg.

The medial malleolus is the prominence on the inner side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the tibia.

The lateral malleolus is the prominence on the outer side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the fibula.

Medial malleolus

The medial surface of the lower extremity of tibia is prolonged downward to form a strong pyramidal process, flattened from without inward - the medial malleolus.

• The medial surface of this process is convex and subcutaneous.
• The lateral or articular surface is smooth and slightly concave, and articulates with the talus.
• The anterior border is rough, for the attachment of the anterior fibers of the deltoid ligament of the ankle-joint.
• The posterior border presents a broad groove, the malleolar sulcus, directed obliquely downward and medially, and occasionally double; this sulcus lodges the tendons of the Tibialis posterior and Flexor digitorum longus.

The summit of the medial malleolus is marked by a rough depression behind, for the attachment of the deltoid ligament.

Lateral malleolus

The lower extremity of the fibula, also called the distal extremity or external malleolus, is of a pyramidal form and somewhat flattened from side to side; it descends to a lower level than the medial malleolus.

• The medial surface presents in front a smooth triangular surface, convex from above downward, which articulates with a corresponding surface on the lateral side of the talus. Behind and beneath the articular surface is a rough depression, which gives attachment to the posterior talofibular ligament.
• The lateral surface is convex, subcutaneous, and continuous with the triangular, subcutaneous surface on the lateral side of the body.
• The anterior border is thick and rough, and marked below by a depression for the attachment of the anterior talofibular ligament.
• The posterior border is broad and presents the shallow malleolar sulcus, for the passage of the tendons of the Peronæi longus and brevis.

The summit is rounded, and gives attachment to the calcaneofibular ligament.

Often, when a patient fractures his or her ankle, this is the area of bone that suffers a chip or other significant damage.

See also

• Ankle
• Bimalleolar fracture
• Trimalleolar fracture

Additional images

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  Bones of the right leg. Anterior surface.

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  Back of left lower extremity.

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  Lateral aspect of right leg.

External links

• Diagnostic imaging

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.