Knee bursae
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Su S, Murphy A, Feger J, et al. Knee bursae. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-32169
rID:
32169
Article created:
17 Nov 2014,
Shu Su
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Shu Su had no recorded disclosures.
View Shu Su's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Andrew Murphy had no recorded disclosures.
View Andrew Murphy's current disclosures
Revisions:
17 times, by
12 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Bursae of the knee
- Bursal spaces around the knee
- Bursal spaces of the knee
Knee bursae are sacs surrounding the knee joint that are filled with synovial fluid. They facilitate movement and reduce friction where tendons or muscles pass over bony prominences. The knee bursae can be either communicating or non-communicating with the knee joint itself.
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Gross anatomy
There are four bursae anterior to the knee joint:
- suprapatellar bursa: located between the femur and quadriceps femoris, it is attached to the articularis genu muscle and usually communicates with the synovial cavity
- subcutaneous prepatellar bursa: between the skin and patella
- subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa: between the skin and tibial tuberosity
- deep infrapatellar bursa: between patella ligament and upper tibia
Two bursae are located laterally:
- fibular collateral ligament-biceps femoris bursa: between the lateral collateral ligament and the biceps femoris tendon
- between the lateral collateral ligament and the capsule where it overlies the popliteus muscle
Two bursae are located medially:
- between the medial collateral ligament and the pes anserinus
- between the medial collateral ligament and the capsule, tibia and semimembranosus tendon
There are four bursae posterior to the knee joint:
- between the capsule and medial head of gastrocnemius; communicates with the synovial cavity
- semimembranosus bursa: between semimembranosus and the medial head of gastrocnemius; may communicate with the bursa under the medial head of the gastrocnemius and thereby the synovial cavity
- lateral gastrocnemius bursa: between the capsule and lateral head of gastrocnemius; may communicate with the synovial cavity in some people
- popliteus bursa: between popliteus tendon and posterior tibia and fibula; communicates with the synovial cavity 1
Related pathology
See also
References
- 1. Sinnatamby CS. Last's Anatomy. Elsevier Health Sciences. (2011) ISBN:0702048399. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Hirji Z, Hunjun JS, Choudur HN. Imaging of the bursae. (2011) Journal of clinical imaging science. 1: 22. doi:10.4103/2156-7514.80374 - Pubmed
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