trochanter

American  

[troh-kan-ter] / troʊˈkæn tər /

noun

1. Anatomy. either of two knobs at the top of the femur, the greater on the outside and the lesser on the inside, serving for the attachment of muscles between the thigh and pelvis.

2. Zoology. any similar prominence on the femur in many other vertebrates.

3. Entomology. (in an insect) the usually small second segment of the leg, between the coxa and femur.

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trochanter British  

/ trəʊˈkæntə /

noun

1. any of several processes on the upper part of the vertebrate femur, to which muscles are attached

2. the third segment of an insect's leg

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Other Word Forms

• subtrochanteric
  adjective
• trochanteral
  adjective
• trochanteric
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of trochanter

1605–15; < New Latin < Greek trochantḗr ball on which the hip bone turns in its socket

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trochanter

It was chosen because this animal’s femur lacks a crest or raised bony protrusion – known as a trochanter – where part of the tail musculature would attach.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

The gear teeth on one trochanter engaged with and sequentially moved past those on the other trochanter during the preparatory cocking and the propulsive phases of jumping.

From Science Magazine ● Sep. 12, 2013

The greater trochanter is the large, upward, bony projection located above the base of the neck.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

A single, powerful muscle attaches to the lesser trochanter.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The acetabulum may be fractured by force transmitted through the femur, usually from a fall on the great trochanter, less frequently from a fall on the feet or other form of violence.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles

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