Greater trochanter
Trochanter major
Definition
The greater trochanter is a four-sided bony prominence located at the upper part of the femur, where the neck meets the shaft. Its upper-posterior surface extends posteromedially and extends over the posterior aspect of the femoral neck. Within this overhanding portion, there is a deep trochanteric fossa on the medial side. The lateral surface of the greater trochanter seamlessly merges with the lateral surface of the femoral shaft.
The deep lateral rotators of the hip insert into the greater trochanter. These include 1) the piriformis, which inserts onto the apex of the greater trochanter, 2) the obturator internus and Gemelli muscles, which insert onto the rough medial side of the overhanging part of the greater trochanter, and 3) the obturator externus which inserts directly into the trochanteric fossa.
Additionally, the gluteus medius and minimus muscles also have their insertions on the greater trochanter.
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.
Standring, S. and Gray, H. (2016). ‘Chapter 80: Pelvic girdle, gluteal region and thigh’ in Gray’s anatomy The anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. (41st ed.) New York: Elsevier, pp. 1348-1353.
