Greater Trochanteric Bursa

Description

Bursa of the hip including Subgluteus Minimus Bursa, Subgluteus Medius Bursa, and Greater Trochanteric Bursa

Distension of the trochanteric bursa consistent with bursitis

Illustration of the trochanteric bursa

Ultrasound identification of the trochanteric bursa. The greater trochanter is identified as the deepest echoreflective surface; the subgluteus medius bursa direct overlies the trochanter with the gluteus medius tendon covering this bursa. The trochanteric bursa is an echo lucent structure between the gluteus medius tendon and the overlying gluteus maximus tendon and muscle

Name

• Greater Trochanteric Bursa
• Trochanteric Bursa
• Subgluteus Maximus Bursa

General

• Hip bursa located deep to the gluteus maximus
• Usually implicated in trochanteric bursitis, now called greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Gross Anatomy

• Located deep to the gluteus maximus as it inserts in the tensor fasciae latae
• Covers the posterior facet of the greater trochanter, insertion of the gluteus medius tendon on the lateral facet, proximal origin of vastus lateralis
• Largest of the bursa around the greater trochanter
  • In adults, 4-5 cm in craniocaudal and medial-lateral orientation

Anatomic Variation

• Often, there is more than one bursal space in this area
• There may be a superficial subgluteus maximus bursa and/or secondary deep subgluteus maximus bursa
• The gluteofemoral bursa sometimes covers part of the greater trochanteric but is typically located more inferiorly

Innervation

• Branches of the Inferior Gluteal Nerve

MRI Features

• Surrounded by fat on either side and can be seen on T1 images
• Appears as a thin, hypointense line between layers of high intensity signal
• Parallel to posterior facet of greater trochanter

---

Clinical Significance

• Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
• Trochanteric Bursa Injection

---

See Also

• Hip Pain Main
• Hip Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Hip
• Bursae Anatomy Main

---