Glossary
Bankart Lesion

A Bankart lesion is a tear in the labrum, the fibrous tissue that circles the glenoid (shoulder socket). The labrum acts as a "rubber washer" to which the shoulder capsule attaches. Individuals who dislocate their shoulder often tear this "washer" off the socket.

back to top

Biceps

The biceps is the large muscle at the front of the inner arm. It allows you to flex the arm.

back to top

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are abnormal accumulations of bone that occur when normally protective cartilage is missing, allowing bones to touch each other. Bone spurs also can occur where tendon/ligaments and bones meet.

back to top

Bursae

Bursae (singular = bursa) are filmy, sac-like structures that allow bones, muscles and tendons to glide smoothly over each other. In the shoulder, the bursae are located between the rotator cuff tendons and the shoulder blade (acromion). They help cushion the rotator cuff from the boney front edge of the shoulder blade.

back to top