Trochanter

For the trochanter in arthropod anatomy, see trochanter (arthropod leg).

Trochanter
Upper part of right femur viewed from behind and above, showing greater and lesser trochanter
Details
Identifiers
Latin	trochanter
FMA	82513
Anatomical terminology [ edit on Wikidata]

A trochanter is a tubercle of the femur near its joint with the hip bone. In humans and most mammals, the trochanters serve as important muscle attachment sites. Humans have two, sometimes three, trochanters.

Etymology

Ancient Greek triremes– three rows of oars – which were raised and faced backward or forward during rowing, somewhat similar to muscle attachments on the trochanter

The anatomical term trochanter (the bony protrusions on the femur) derives from the Greek τροχαντήρ (trochantḗr). ^[1] This Greek word itself is generally broken down into:

• τροχάζω (trokházō), meaning “to run quickly,” “to gallop,” or “to move rapidly.”
• -τήρ (-tḗr), a suffix in Greek that often signifies an agent or instrument (“one who [does something]” or “that which [does something]”).

While the exact origin of the anatomical term trochanter is uncertain, multiple possible connections could be suggested. One possibility is that the term was derived directly from the Greek roots without influence from the maritime meaning, with the name referencing the trochanter’s role in enabling swift movement through muscle attachment. Alternatively, the term may have been influenced by the Greek τροχαντήρ (trochantḗr), which referred to the protrusions on the stern of triremes that served as attachment points for ropes and sails. In a similar manner, the anatomical trochanters are prominent bony projections that serve as key attachment sites for muscles. Later usage came to include the femoral neck. ^[2]

Structure

In human anatomy, the trochanter is a part of the femur. It can refer to:

• Greater trochanter
• Lesser trochanter
• Third trochanter, which is occasionally present

Other animals

• Fourth trochanter, of archosaur leg bones
• Trochanter (arthropod leg), a segment of the arthropod leg

See also

• Intertrochanteric crest
• Intertrochanteric line

References

1. "τροχαντήρ", Wiktionary, the free dictionary, 2020-11-13, retrieved 2025-01-30
2. O'Rahilly R, Müller F, Carpenter S, Swenson R (2004). "Etymology of Abdominal Visceral Terms". Basic Human Anatomy: A Regional Study of Human Structure. Rand Swenson, site ed. Dartmouth Medical School.

External links

• The dictionary definition of trochanter at Wiktionary
• Media related to Trochanter at Wikimedia Commons