Final answer:
d. Tibia. The tibia, also known as the shinbone, is the major weight-bearing bone located between the ankle and the knee. It plays a key role in transmitting the body's weight from the femur to the foot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major weight-bearing bone between the ankle and the knee is the tibia. The tibia, or shinbone, is the larger bone of the leg that articulates with the femur at the knee and with the ankle bones, playing a crucial role in supporting the body's weight from the femur to the foot.
The femur is the upper bone that forms the hip joint with the pelvis and the knee joint with the tibia and patella. On the other hand, the fibula is the slender bone that runs parallel to the tibia but is not involved in weight-bearing, serving instead as an attachment for muscles and forming part of the lateral ankle joint. Lastly, the tarsals are a group of seven bones in the ankle, which assist in the transfer of weight from the tibia and fibula to the foot.
The major weight-bearing bone between the ankle and the knee is the **d. Tibia.** The tibia, also known as the shinbone, is a larger and stronger bone compared to the fibula, which runs parallel to it. The tibia plays a crucial role in supporting body weight and transmitting forces from the femur (thigh bone) to the ankle and foot.
It forms the primary structural support for the lower leg and is essential for stability during weight-bearing activities. While the fibula contributes to leg function, it is the tibia that bears the majority of the body's weight in this region.