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
Examples of trochanter in a Sentence
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Trochanteric bursitis affects the pointed upper, outside edge of the femur (the thigh bone), called the greater trochanter.
—
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2024
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Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Trochanter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trochanter. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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