Muscular trochlea

A muscular trochlea is a fibrocartilaginous or tendinous pulley-like structure that changes the direction of pull of a muscle tendon as it passes over a bony or fibrous surface. The trochlea functions to redirect muscle force efficiently toward the site of insertion while reducing friction during movement.

Example

• The trochlea of the superior oblique muscle in the orbit is a fibrocartilaginous loop attached to the frontal bone. The tendon of the superior oblique passes through this trochlea before inserting onto the sclera of the eyeball, allowing the muscle to depress and intort the eye effectively.