Where Are Bursae Located in the Human Body?

There are a total of 160 bursae in the human body located around the major joints in the body. The major bursae are found near the tendons around the large joints such as the shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip jiont and knee joint.

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints of the body and allow joints, tendons and muscles to glide over each other. They reduce friction and allow the human body to move without resistance. Bursae are generally healthy, but they can become inflamed and cause pain. When this occurs it is known as bursitis. It is a temporary condition that restricts motion and causes tenderness, pain and swelling.