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Bursa
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The bursa is a small sac filled with lubricating fluid present in joints of the body. They are usually found in the synovial joints, between the tendons and bones. The major joints (e.g. knee joint) can have several bursae, and there are up to 160 bursae present in the human body.
The majority of bursae are present at birth, but some bursae can also form after birth in areas where there's friction.
The main function of the bursa is to reduce friction between moving parts in joints of the body. In addition, they act as a cushion that absorbs pressure present in some joints.
The most common clinical scenario related to bursae is the inflammation of bursae called bursitis. The typical clinical presentation is localized pain in the area around the inflamed bursa combined with a restricted range of movement.
| Terminology |
English: Bursa Latin: Bursa |
| Definition | Small fluid-filled sacs present in joints of the body. |
| Function | Reduce friction between moving parts in joints of the body. |
Learn everything about the structure and types of synovial joints with the following study unit:
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