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

See Examples For:

trochanter

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

A large submuscular bursa, the trochanteric bursa, is found at the lateral hip, between the greater trochanter of the femur and the overlying gluteus maximus muscle.

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

A single, powerful muscle attaches to the lesser trochanter.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

By a long and slender tendon which, behind, turns around the great trochanter, and passes along the surface of the fascia lata, it proceeds to join the knee-cap.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard