US Medical Term · anatomy
Fibula
Peroné
Also: Fíbula (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Fibula |
| Spanish (Español) | Peroné |
| Chinese (中文) | 腓骨 |
| Korean (한국어) | 비골 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Xương mác |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Fibula (maliit na buto ng binti) |
| Portuguese (Português) | Fíbula |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กระดูกน่อง |
| Japanese (日本語) | 腓骨 |
What it means
The fibula is the thinner bone on the outer side of your lower leg, running alongside the tibia from the knee to the ankle. Although it is not a major weight-bearing bone, it plays an important role in stabilizing the ankle joint and providing attachment points for several muscles. The fibula forms the outer part of the ankle where it touches the ankle bone. Fibula fractures often occur from twisting injuries or direct impacts. A common injury is a lateral malleolus fracture, which affects the bony bump on the outside of your ankle. Treatment depends on fracture severity and can include immobilization or surgery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My ankle X-ray showed a fracture in the fibula on the outer side.
La radiografía del tobillo mostró una fractura en el peroné del lado externo.
I twisted my ankle and the doctor thinks I may have cracked the fibula.
Me torcí el tobillo y el médico cree que puede que haya fisurado el peroné.
How long will it take for my fibula fracture to heal?
¿Cuánto tiempo tardará en sanar la fractura del peroné?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026