Mnemonic

Knee Bursae - Housemaid's and Clergyman's Knee

A memory aid for the named bursae around the knee.

Expansion

Prepatellar bursitis is housemaid's knee; infrapatellar bursitis is clergyman's knee

Expansion

  • Prepatellar bursa - in front of the patella; inflammation is “housemaid’s knee”
  • Superficial infrapatellar bursa - over the tibial tuberosity; inflammation is “clergyman’s knee”
  • Suprapatellar bursa - continuous with the knee joint cavity
  • Semimembranosus bursa - can enlarge into a popliteal (Baker’s) cyst

The pattern reflects the different kneeling postures that irritate each bursa.