trochanter

[ troh-kan-ter ]

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.

trochanter

/ 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

Other Words From

• tro·chan·ter·ic [troh-k, uh, n-, ter, -ik], tro·chanter·al adjective
• subtro·chan·teric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trochanter¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trochanter¹

C17: via French from Greek trokhantēr , from trekhein to run

Example Sentences

“Furthermore, each leg of mine has seven sections—the coxa, the trochanter, the femur, the patella, the tibia, the metatarsus, and the tarsus.”

From Literature

An articular surface on the ilium of birds against which the great trochanter of the femur plays.

From Project Gutenberg

They constitute a very serious and troublesome complication, and may occur on any part of the body subjected to pressure, but are most frequent over the sacrum and trochanters.

From Project Gutenberg

From the iliac fossa from which it arises the fleshy fibres are directed towards the femur, to be inserted into the great trochanter.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a distinct zone of slight hyperesthesia about as wide as the hand above the femoral trochanters.

From Project Gutenberg