Third trochanter
Third trochanter
The third trochanter is an anatomical variant found on the femur bone of some individuals. It is an additional bony prominence located on the proximal part of the femur, near the greater trochanter and lesser trochanter. The presence of a third trochanter is considered a normal anatomical variation and is not typically associated with any pathological conditions.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The third trochanter is situated on the posterior aspect of the femur, just below the greater trochanter. It serves as an additional attachment point for muscles and ligaments. The size and prominence of the third trochanter can vary significantly among individuals. In some cases, it may be well-developed and easily identifiable, while in others, it may be small or absent.
Function[edit | edit source]
The third trochanter provides an additional site for the attachment of the gluteus maximus muscle. This muscle is one of the primary muscles involved in the movement of the hip and thigh, playing a crucial role in activities such as walking, running, and climbing.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The presence of a third trochanter is generally considered a benign anatomical variation. It is usually discovered incidentally during radiographic imaging or anatomical dissection. There is no evidence to suggest that the third trochanter is associated with any specific medical conditions or complications.
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
The prevalence of the third trochanter varies among different populations. Studies have shown that it is more commonly found in certain ethnic groups and may be influenced by genetic factors. The exact prevalence rates can vary, but it is generally considered to be a relatively rare anatomical feature.
Related Anatomical Variations[edit | edit source]
Other anatomical variations of the femur include the presence of additional bony prominences or variations in the shape and size of the existing trochanters. These variations are typically benign and do not usually cause any functional impairments.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This anatomy article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
