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

Etymology

Origin of trochanter

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

Example Sentences

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

Thus, a child’s radiograph that shows the presence of the lesser trochanter epiphyseal plate indicates an approximate age of 10 years.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The greater trochanter can be felt just under the skin on the lateral side of your upper thigh.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Multiple muscles that act across the hip joint attach to the greater trochanter, which, because of its projection from the femur, gives additional leverage to these muscles.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

“Coxa, trochanter, femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus.”

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White