Orthopaedics · Musculoskeletal System · Medium

Bursitis

Meaning: Inflammation of a bursa — a fluid-filled sac cushioning a joint.

In practice: Housemaid's knee is a form of bursitis of the kneecap.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related orthopaedics words.

Which word means: Fold of synovial membrane left over from embryonic development of a joint.

Which word means: Divided into two parts, as when an ossification centre fails to fuse.

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.