Bursae of the Knee

What is a bursa?

Synovial membrane sac filled with synovial fluid that sit between structures to reduce friction
- Many bursa are merely extensions of the synovial membrane of a joint

What are the anterior bursa of the knee?

1. Suprapatellar (quadriceps) bursa
2. Subcutaneous prepatellar bursa
3. Subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa
4. Deep infrapatellar bursa

Where is the suprapatellar (quadriceps) bursa?

Sits behind the quadriceps tendon/patella
- Extension of the knee joint synovial membrane/cavity

What is attached to the suprapatellar (quadriceps) bursa?

Articularis genus

Where is the subcutaneous prepatellar bursa?

Sits between skin and anterior patella

Where is the subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa?

Sits between skin and tibial tuberosity

Where is the deep infrapatellar bursa?

Sits between patellar ligament and anterior tibia on top of infrapatellar fat pad

What are the lateral bursae of the knee?

1. Lateral gastrocnemius bursa
2. Popliteus bursa

Where is the lateral gastrocnemius bursa?

Sits between the lateral head of the gastrocnemius and knee joint capsule
- Extension of the joint cavity

Where is the popliteus bursa?

Sits between the tendon of popliteus and lateral condyle of femur
- Extension of the joint cavity

What are the medial bursae of the knee?

1. Medial gastrocnemius bursa
2. Anserine bursa
3. Semimembranosus bursa

Where is the medial gastrocnemius bursa?

Sits between the medial head of gastrocnemius and knee joint capsule
- Extension of the joint cavity

Where is the anserine bursa?

Sits between medial collateral ligament and pes anserine

Where is the semimembranosus bursa?

Sits between the semimembranosus and medial head of gastrocnemius