Distal anterolateral tubercle of tibia

The distal anterolateral tubercle of the tibia (Anterior tubercle; Chaput's tubercle; Tillaux-Chaput's tubercle) is a prominent bony structure located on the anterolateral aspect of the distal tibia, just proximal to the tibial plafond and adjacent to the fibular incisura. This tubercle serves as the attachment site for the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament, which is a key stabilizer of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and thus critical for ankle stability.

The anterior tubercle is angular in shape and projects anterolaterally, with its maximal prominence approximately 1 cm above the tibiotalar joint line. It is distinct from the posterior tubercle, which is more rounded and located posterolaterally. The anterior tubercle forms the anterior border of the fibular incisura and is easily identified on imaging, especially in the context of syndesmotic injuries or anterolateral malleolar fractures.