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Apex of head of fibula

The apex of the head of the fibula is a prominent bony projection located at the superior aspect of the fibular head on the lateral side of the knee. It serves as an important attachment site for ligaments and muscles and is a key anatomical landmark in the posterolateral corner of the knee.

It is clinically and radiologically significant due to its close relationship with the common peroneal (fibular) nerve and its involvement in knee stability and traumatic injuries.

Synonyms

  • Styloid process of the fibula

  • Fibular styloid

Location

  • Situated at the superior and lateral aspect of the fibular head

  • Lateral to the tibial plateau

  • Posterior to the lateral tibial condyle

  • Inferior to the lateral collateral ligament attachment on the femur

  • Forms part of the posterolateral corner of the knee

Anatomical components

  • Osseous projection of the fibular head

  • Ligamentous attachments:

    • Lateral collateral ligament (fibular collateral ligament)

    • Popliteofibular ligament

  • Muscular attachments:

    • Biceps femoris tendon

  • Adjacent neurovascular structures:

    • Common peroneal (fibular) nerve winding around the neck of the fibula

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Lateral tibial condyle

Posteriorly:

  • Popliteus muscle and tendon

Medially:

  • Proximal tibiofibular joint

Laterally:

  • Biceps femoris tendon

Inferiorly:

  • Neck of the fibula and course of the common peroneal nerve

Superiorly:

  • Attachment sites of ligaments and tendons

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP and lateral knee views):

  • Apex of fibular head: Seen as a pointed or triangular bony projection

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and continuous

  • Relationship: Clearly separate from the lateral tibial condyle

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Apex: Well-defined osseous prominence on the superior fibular head

  • Cortex: Intact and sharply outlined

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone texture

  • Utility: Precise depiction of bony morphology and subtle cortical irregularities

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow of fibular head: High signal

  • Apex: Clearly outlined osseous projection

  • Adjacent ligaments/tendons: Low-signal linear structures

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortex: Low signal

  • Marrow: Intermediate signal

  • Soft tissues: Intermediate-to-high signal

  • Neurovascular structures: Visualized as tubular low-to-intermediate signal elements

STIR:

  • Marrow fat: Suppressed signal

  • Osseous margins: Clearly delineated

  • Soft tissues: High contrast visualization

  • Ligaments and tendons: Persistently low signal

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Ligaments and tendons: Low-signal linear bands

  • Joint fluid and soft tissues: High signal

MRI image

Apex of head of fibula mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Apex of head of fibula ct sag

CT VRT 3D image

Apex of head of fibula 3d