Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Shinbone
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Shinbone: The larger of the two bones in the lower leg (the smaller one being the fibula). The shinbone is anatomically known as the tibia.
"Tibia" is a Latin word meaning both shinbone and flute. It is thought that "tibia" refers to both the bone and the musical instrument because flutes were once fashioned from the tibia (of animals).
Incidentally, "fibula" is also from the Latin and means a clasp or brooch. The fibula was likened by the ancients to a clasp attaching it to the tibia to form a brooch.