Subacromial bursa

Looks like

A thin fluid-filled sac under the acromion, over the top of the rotator cuff; usually joined with the subdeltoid bursa.

What it does

Lets the rotator cuff glide smoothly under the bony roof when the arm is raised.

Keeping it well

Inflamed in shoulder impingement (subacromial bursitis), with pain lifting the arm. A common target for steroid injections.

Related conditions

• Bursitis
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Shoulder dislocation
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder