trochanter
1. The second joint of the leg of an insect, which articulates with the coxa proximally and with the femur distally. The trochanter is a small segment and can usually move in only one plane (due to the nature of its articulation with the coxa). Odonata and Hymenoptera have two trochanters, but the distal one appears to be derived from the femur. See also TROCHANTELLUS.

2. A prominence on a tetrapod femur; in mammals there are at least two (greater and lesser) and often a third (third trochanter). They are sites for muscle attachment.

trochanter
1. Any of several bony knobs on the femur of vertebrates to which muscles are attached.

2. The second segment of an insect's leg, between the coxa and the femur.

trochanter (troh-kant-er) n. either of the two protuberances that occur below the neck of the femur.