Definition

A condition where a small fluid-filled sac that cushions bones and muscles becomes inflamed, often causing pain and swelling in joints like the shoulder, elbow, or knee.

Example

After playing tennis, she developed bursitis in her elbow, making it painful to move.

Conversation

I heard you’ve been having issues with your shoulder lately.

Yeah, the doctor said it might be bursitis.

That sounds painful! How are you dealing with it?

I’m doing physical therapy, and it’s helping a lot.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bursitis is formed from "bursa" (from Latin, meaning pouch or sac) and "-itis" (from Greek, meaning inflammation). The word refers to the inflammation of a bursa, which is a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues in joints.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bursa' as a 'pouch' that can become 'inflamed' ('-itis'), helping you remember that bursitis means inflammation of the bursa.

Visually Confused Words