0 a long, narrow, hollow space in a surface in the body that a bone or tendon can move against, especially the lower end of the humerus (= the long bone of the upper arm): --
the trochlea of the humerus
The body of the superior oblique muscle is located "behind" the eyeball, but the tendon (which is redirected by the trochlea) approaches the eyeball from the "front".
Owing to the obliquity of the trochlea of the humerus, this movement does not take place in the antero-posterior plane of the body of the humerus.
One form of patellofemoral syndrome involves a tissue-related problem that creates pressure and irritation in the knee between the patella and the trochlea (patellar compression syndrome), which causes pain.
This prevents hyperextension and forms a hinge joint with the trochlea of the humerus.
The groove running across the trochlea is, in most people, vertical on the anterior side but spirals off on the posterior side.
The trochlea is a ring-like apparatus of cartilage through which passes the tendon of the superior oblique muscle.
The humerus also shares some features with extinct hominoids: a large medial epicondyle and a comparatively wide trochlea.
Between the capitulum and the trochlea of the humerus is the capitulotrochlear groove.
