trochlea

American  

[trok-lee-uh] / ˈtrɒk li ə /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

trochleae, trochleas

1. a pulleylike structure or arrangement of parts.

---

trochlea British  

/ ˈtrɒklɪə /

noun

1. any bony or cartilaginous part with a grooved surface over which a bone, tendon, etc, may slide or articulate

---

Etymology

Origin of trochlea

1685–95; < Latin: pulley block or sheave < Greek trochiléa, trochil ( e ) ía; akin to tróchilos sheave, runner, akin to tréchein to run

Example Sentences

The angle of the tendon through the trochlea means that contraction of the superior oblique rotates the eye medially.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

This region articulates with the trochlea of the humerus as part of the elbow joint.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A good example is the elbow joint, with the articulation between the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

However, the tendon of the oblique muscles threads through a pulley-like piece of cartilage known as the trochlea.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In the human skeleton, the internal lip of the trochlea descends lower than the external; and also lower than the condyle.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard