bursa

noun

bur·​sa ˈbər-sə How to pronounce bursa (audio)
plural bursas ˈbər-səz How to pronounce bursa (audio) or bursae ˈbər-ˌsē How to pronounce bursa (audio)
-ˌsī
: a bodily pouch or sac: such as
a
: a small serous sac between a tendon and a bone
bursal adjective

Examples of bursa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The bursa is one indication that this is a male worm. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023 Bursitis Bursitis causes pain in the front of your knee if a bursa becomes irritated and swollen. Yuliya Klochan, Health, 12 Aug. 2023 The procedure repaired a torn labrum, removed two bone spurs and cleaned up his bursa and rotator cuff tendon. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 25 Feb. 2023 This sperm-hungry organ is called the bursa copulatrix. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2015 For example, Reich cited Peyton Manning’s performance after undergoing July surgery to remove a bursa sac from his left knee in 2008. The Indianapolis Star, 18 Aug. 2022 After getting an appointment fairly quickly, I was given a shot in the bursa, but alas, with no relief. Hermine Saunders, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 8 Dec. 2019 Scherzer was given a cortisone shot this week to address inflammation in the bursa sac under his right shoulder blade. Dave Skretta, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2019 The 76ers power forward sat out Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets with what Brett Brown said was a swollen bursa sac in his right elbow. Keith Pompey, Philly.com, 2 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bursa.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, bag, purse — more at purse

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bursa was in 1734

Dictionary Entries Near bursa

Cite this Entry

“Bursa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bursa. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bursa

noun
bur·​sa ˈbər-sə How to pronounce bursa (audio)
plural bursas or bursae -ˌsē How to pronounce bursa (audio)
-ˌsī
: a bodily pouch
especially : a small fluid-containing pouch between a tendon and a bone

Medical Definition

bursa

noun
bur·​sa ˈbər-sə How to pronounce bursa (audio)
plural bursas -səz How to pronounce bursa (audio) or bursae -ˌsē How to pronounce bursa (audio) -ˌsī How to pronounce bursa (audio)
: a bodily pouch or sac: as
a
: a small serous sac between a tendon and a bone
bursal adjective

Geographical Definition

Bursa

geographical name

Bur·​sa bu̇r-ˈsä How to pronounce Bursa (audio)
ˈbər-sə
variants or formerly Brusa
brü-ˈsä How to pronounce Bursa (audio)
ˈbrü-sə
city near the Sea of Marmara in northwestern Turkey population 834,576

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