What is the lesser trochanter?

• A. A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint
• B. The distance between the femoral axis and the center of the femoral head
• C. The narrow area just below the head of the femur
• D. The projection on the medial/superior portion of the femur

Answer: (D)

This question tests your knowledge of where the lesser trochanter sits on the femur. The lesser trochanter is a projection on the medial aspect of the proximal femur, located just below the femoral neck on the posteromedial surface. It serves as the attachment site for the iliopsoas muscle.

This description matches the option that refers to a projection on the medial side of the proximal femur, making it the best choice. The other descriptions refer to different landmarks: a lateral, proximal prominence describes the greater trochanter; the narrow area below the head is the femoral neck; and a distance between the shaft axis and the head center describes a measurement, not a bony prominence.