Definition of Trochanter

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Trochanter: One of the bony prominences toward the near end of the thigh bone (the femur). There are two trochanters:

• The greater trochanter: A powerful protrusion located at the proximal (near) and lateral (outside) part of the shaft of the femur;
• The lesser trochanter: A pyramidal prominence projecting from the proximal (near) and medial (inside) part of the shaft of the femur.

The greater trochanter is also called the major trochanter, the outer trochanter, and the lateral process of the femur. The lesser trochanter is alternatively called the minor trochanter, the inner trochanter and the medial process of the femur.

The trochanters are points at which hip and thigh muscles attach. The greater trochanter gives attachment to a number of muscles (including the gluteus medius and minimus, piriformis, obturator internus and externus, and gemelli muscles) while the lesser trochanter receives the insertion of several muscles (including the psoas major and iliacus [iliopsoas] muscles).

The word "trochanter" is the Greek word for "a runner." A runner runs thanks to his or her femur.