It is named for the three tubercles (cusps) of the molar teeth (not to be confused with Triconodonta). The clade Trituberculata is not always regarded as a valid one, and it likely does not form a monophyletic group.
This classification is distinguished by its three projections (notches) on the molars (to be distinguished from Triconodonta). However, the clade Trituberculata is occasionally questioned in terms of its validity, and it likely does not represent a single evolutionary lineage.