Greater Trochanter Flashcards

Explore the greater trochanter's bony landmarks, muscle insertions, ligament attachments, anatomical relations, and clinical significance.

Card 1 of 24Question

What is the greater trochanter?

A large, irregular bony projection on the lateral aspect of the proximal femur.

In This Section

1. What is the greater trochanter?

A large, irregular bony projection on the lateral aspect of the proximal femur.

2. Where is the greater trochanter located relative to the femoral neck?

Lateral to the femoral neck, at the junction of the neck and shaft.

3. What is the principal anatomical function of the greater trochanter?

To provide attachment sites and mechanical leverage for muscles acting on the hip joint.

4. What are the principal anatomical surfaces of the greater trochanter?

The lateral, medial, anterior, and posterior surfaces, together with a superior border.

5. Which muscle inserts onto the lateral surface of the greater trochanter?

The gluteus medius muscle.

6. Which muscle inserts onto the anterior surface of the greater trochanter?

The gluteus minimus muscle.

7. Which muscle inserts onto the superior border of the greater trochanter?

The piriformis muscle.

8. Where does the obturator internus tendon insert on the greater trochanter?

On the medial surface near the trochanteric fossa.

9. Which muscles join the obturator internus tendon at its greater trochanter attachment?

The superior and inferior gemellus muscles.

10. What is the trochanteric fossa?

A deep depression on the medial surface of the greater trochanter.

11. Which muscle inserts into the trochanteric fossa?

The obturator externus muscle.

12. Which muscles attached to the greater trochanter are major abductors of the hip?

Gluteus medius and gluteus minimus.

13. What is the role of the greater trochanter in hip abductor biomechanics?

It provides a lateral attachment that improves the mechanical leverage of the hip abductors.

14. Which fascia-covered structure passes superficially over the greater trochanter?

The iliotibial tract.

15. What is the greater trochanteric bursa?

A synovial bursa that reduces friction between the greater trochanter and overlying gluteal tissues.

16. Which large muscle overlies the posterolateral greater trochanter?

The gluteus maximus muscle.

17. Which bony ridge connects the greater and lesser trochanters anteriorly?

The intertrochanteric line.

18. Which bony ridge connects the greater and lesser trochanters posteriorly?

The intertrochanteric crest.

19. Which ligament of the hip joint attaches near the greater trochanter along the intertrochanteric line?

The iliofemoral ligament.

20. How is the greater trochanter identified during physical examination?

As a palpable bony prominence on the lateral aspect of the proximal thigh.

21. What is the relationship of the greater trochanter to the femoral head in the normal adult hip?

Its superior tip typically lies approximately level with the center of the femoral head.

22. Which arteries supply the greater trochanteric region?

Branches of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries, with contributions from gluteal vessels.

23. What is greater trochanteric pain syndrome?

Lateral hip pain commonly associated with gluteal tendinopathy and sometimes trochanteric bursal inflammation.

24. What functional deficit may occur after a displaced greater trochanter fracture?

Weakness of hip abduction due to disruption of the gluteus medius and minimus attachments.