Greater Trochanter

Description

Ililustration of the greater trochanter

Photograph of the proximal end of a right femur

The anatomy of the hip region, including the head, femoral neck, greater trochanter, and lesser trochanter of the proximal femur, and the acetabulum, ilium, ischium, and pubis of the os coxae (pelvic bone)

Names

• Greater Trochanter of the Femur
• Trochanter Major

General

• “Trochanter” means “runner” in Greek
• Analogous to the greater tubercle of the humerus
• Prominent, palpable bony landmark on the upper lateral aspect of the proximal femur
• Extends superolateral from the junction of the neck and shaft of the femur
• Peri trochanteric issues analogous to rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder

Facets

• Anterior: gluteus minimus
• Lateral: anterior gluteus medius
• Superoposterior: posterior gluteus medius

Muscle Attachments

• Gluteus Minimus
• Gluteus Medius
• Obturator Internus
• Piriformis
• Gemelli

Subgluteus Maximus Bursa

• Lateral to the greater trochanter, between the tendons of gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus
• Sometimes divided into up to 4 separate bursa
• Deep subgluteus maximus bursa: largest, most consistent of these subdivisions, often referred to as the “trochanteric bursa”, implicated in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
• Other components include secondary deep, superficial, gluteofemoral

Subgluteus Medius Bursa

• Up to 3 bursa, largest on anterior surface of greater trochanter

Gluteus Minimus Bursa

• Minor bursa, deep to the minimus insertion on the anterior aspect of the greater trochanter.

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Clinical Significance

• Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
• Trochanteric Bursa Injection

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See Also

• Hip Pain Main
• Thigh Pain Main
• Hip Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Hip

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