Which bone is smaller in the lower leg?

The fibula is the smaller bone in the lower leg. It runs parallel to the tibia, which is the larger bone of the lower leg and is responsible for bearing most of the weight. The fibula serves primarily as a support structure and provides attachment points for muscles, but it does not participate directly in weight-bearing. Its smaller size and location make it more susceptible to injury compared to the tibia, which is more robust and central to the leg’s function.

The other bones mentioned serve different roles: the tibia is the primary weight-bearing bone of the lower leg; the patella (kneecap) is a small bone located in front of the knee joint that protects it and improves the leverage of the thigh muscles; and the femur, or thigh bone, is the longest bone in the body, situated above the lower leg. Each of these bones has distinct characteristics and functions, but when comparing size in the context of the lower leg, the fibula is indeed the smaller bone.