Greater Trochanter

The arrow is pointing to the greater trochanter of the femur.

The greater trochanter is a large quadrilateral eminence which forms the site of origin and insertion for several muscles:

Origins: vastus lateralis

Insertions: gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, obturator internus, piriformis

The greater trochanter has two surfaces:

• Lateral
• Medial

At the base of the greater trochanter is a deep depression known as the trochanteric fossa. Posteriorly is the intertrochanteric crest. The trochanteric fossa serves as the point of insertion for four muscles:

• Obturator externus
• Obturator internus
• Superior gemellus
• Inferior gemellus

The greater trochanter has four borders:

• Superior
• Inferior
• Anterior
• Posterior

Learn all about the muscles of the thigh in this tutorial.

Learn all about the features of the femur in this tutorial.