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
trochanteral
trō-ˈkan-tə-rəl
adjective trochanteric
ˌtrō-kən-ˈter-ik
adjective -ˌkan-
Word History
Etymology
Greek trochantēr; akin to Greek trechein to run
First Known Use
1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical 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