Malleolus
Malleolus
Malleolus (pronunciation: mal-ee-oh-lus) is a term used in anatomy to refer to specific structures in the human body. The term is derived from the Latin word 'malleolus', meaning 'little hammer'.
Etymology
The term 'malleolus' is derived from the Latin word 'malleus', which means 'hammer'. This is due to the resemblance of these structures to a small hammer.
Definition
In anatomy, a malleolus is the bony prominence on each side of the human ankle. There are two malleoli in each ankle, one on the inside (medial) and one on the outside (lateral). These are known as the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus respectively.
Medial Malleolus
The Medial Malleolus is the prominence on the inner side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the tibia. The medial malleolus is larger than the lateral malleolus and is the point of attachment for several important ligaments in the ankle.
Lateral Malleolus
The Lateral Malleolus is the prominence on the outer side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the fibula. The lateral malleolus is smaller than the medial malleolus and also serves as the point of attachment for several important ligaments in the ankle.
Related Terms
- Ankle: The joint connecting the foot with the leg.
- Tibia: The larger of the two bones in the lower leg, the inner bone that supports most of the body's weight.
- Fibula: The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg, the outer bone that provides support and stability.
- Ligament: A short band of tough, flexible, fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Malleolus
- Wikipedia's article - Malleolus
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