bursa

Everyday

1. (science, body) A small bag of fluid in the body, usually near a joint like the knee or elbow, that stops bones, muscles and tendons from rubbing. tree →
2. (a name) Bursa, a big city in north-west Turkey. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons, a bursa acts like a cushion. If it gets swollen and sore, it is called bursitis, for example «housemaid's knee». Bursa in Turkey is a famous old city.

Examples

• A bursa helps your knee move smoothly. tree →
• The footballer hurt the bursa in his elbow. tree →
• Too much kneeling can swell the bursa in your knee. tree →
• We flew to Bursa to visit relatives. tree →
• The doctor said Grandma's sore shoulder was a swollen bursa. tree →

Note

Plural: bursae (BUR-see) or bursas. Related: bursitis (swollen bursa). The city is written with a capital B.