Morphological variants of the suprapatellar bursa.

Two hundred and ten specimens were examined anatomically to study the different shapes of the suprapatellar bursa. It is possible to classify the morphologic variants of the suprapatellar bursa into three types. A bursa not subdivided was found in 83% and named Type A. A bursa subdivided by a vertical septum at the lateral side of the suprapatellar bursa was seen in 17% of the knee joints. The vertical septum was complete in 9% (Type B), incomplete in 8% (Type C) of the cases. It separated the bursa into a main medial part and a small lateral saccular space. There was no corresponding subdivision at the medial side. A space proximal to the suprapatellar bursa was found in two cases.