What is referred to as a bony prominence near the upper extremity of the femur?

The term that accurately describes a bony prominence near the upper extremity of the femur is "trochanter." In human anatomy, the femur, which is the thigh bone, has two prominent features known as the greater and lesser trochanters. These structures serve as important sites for muscle attachment and play a crucial role in the movement of the hip joint. The greater trochanter is located on the lateral aspect of the femur, while the lesser trochanter is found on the posterior medial side.

The other terms provided do not refer to this anatomical feature. For example, tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, while vallecula refers to a small groove or depression, often found in the context of anatomy related to the throat. Additionally, a vesicle is a fluid-filled sac within tissue, commonly used in reference to blisters in the skin or other contexts. Thus, the choice of "trochanter" is precisely aligned with the anatomical description needed for the question.