Olecranon bursa !
The olecranon bursa is a fluid sac under the skin at the point of the elbow; it lets the skin slide and can swell after pressure or infection.
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What it is
A thin sac between the skin and the point of the elbow.
What it does
Lets the skin slide over the elbow tip.
Key facts
- Where
- Under the skin over the olecranon
- Function
- Friction pad; swells after leaning or a knock (olecranon bursitis)
Relations
- Superficial
- Skin over the point of the elbow
- Deep
- Olecranon and the triceps tendon insertion; the triceps bursa lies deeper, under the tendon
- Medial
- Ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel behind the medial epicondyle, close by during aspiration or excision
How to find it
It lies over the tip of the olecranon and is not felt when normal. Swollen, it forms a soft, fluctuant, egg-shaped lump over the point of the elbow, best seen with the elbow straight.
On imaging
Usually a clinical diagnosis. X-ray may show an olecranon spur or a foreign body; ultrasound confirms fluid, wall thickening and septa, and guides aspiration.
Common problems
- Olecranon bursitis: a soft swelling at the elbow tip from leaning, a knock, gout or infection.
- A red, hot, painful bursa can be infected.
How it is diagnosed
Exam; fluid may be drawn with a needle and tested for infection or crystals.
Treatment
- Padding, avoiding pressure and a compression wrap.
- Antibiotics, and drainage if infected.
- Surgical removal of the bursa if it keeps coming back.
Clinical notes
- Aseptic causes: repeated leaning (student's or miner's elbow), a direct blow, gout with tophi, rheumatoid arthritis
- Aspiration through an oblique path from the side, not straight down onto the tip, lowers the risk of a chronic draining sinus
- Chronic or recurrent bursitis may be excised; wound healing over the bony tip is a common problem
Related conditions
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which organism usually causes septic olecranon bursitis?
Staphylococcus aureus.
How does olecranon bursitis differ from septic arthritis of the elbow?
Elbow motion is largely kept in olecranon bursitis, because the joint is not involved.
Why is the olecranon bursa aspirated from the side rather than straight onto the tip?
An oblique path lowers the risk of a chronic draining sinus.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- bursa subcutanea olecrani TA2 2564
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Bolsa subcutánea del olécranon
- English (TA2)
- Olecranon bursa
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Elbow Joint.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
