Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Trochlea
Introduction
Trochlea (Latin for pulley) is a term in anatomy. It refers to a grooved structure reminiscent of a pulley’s wheel.
Most commonly, trochleae bear the articular surface of saddle and other joints:
- Trochlea of humerus
- Trochlear process of the Calcaneus
- The area where the tarsometatarsus articulates with the proximal phalanges in a bird’s foot
It also can refer to structures which serve as a guide for muscles:
- Trochlea of superior oblique (see also superior oblique muscle). This use is the source of the name for the Trochlear nerve.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]