trochanter

noun

tro·​chan·​ter trō-ˈkan-tər 

1

: a rough prominence at the upper part of the femur of many vertebrates serving usually for the attachment of muscles

2

: the second segment of an insect's leg adjacent to the coxa

trochanteral

trō-ˈkan-tə-rəl 

adjective

trochanteric

ˌtrō-kən-ˈter-ik 

-ˌkan-

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Greek trochantēr; akin to Greek trechein to run

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

trochanter

noun

tro·​chan·​ter trō-ˈkant-ər 

: a rough prominence or process at the upper part of the femur of many vertebrates serving usually for the attachment of muscles and being usually two on each femur in mammals including humans:

a

: a larger one situated on the outer part of the upper end of the shaft at its junction with the neck

called also greater trochanter

b

: a smaller one situated at the lower back part of the junction of the shaft and neck

called also lesser trochanter

trochanteric

ˌtrō-kən-ˈter-ik, -ˌkan- 

adjective