A bursa between the vastus intermedius muscle and the anterior femoral shaft, reducing friction as the vastus intermedius belly contracts against the femoral cortex during knee extension. It communicates with the suprapatellar pouch in many individuals, forming part of the extended knee joint cavity.
The vastus intermedius bursa communicates with the suprapatellar pouch in approximately 85% of knees, making it part of the functional knee joint space. Its communication is exploited in intra-articular knee injection techniques where suprapatellar access allows the bursal fluid to distribute throughout the joint. In haemophilia and inflammatory arthropathy, bursal distension with haemarthrosis or synovitis is a major component of suprapatellar fullness.
Fluid accumulation in the communicating vastus intermedius bursa and suprapatellar pouch from haemarthrosis or synovitis, producing a visible and palpable fullness above the patella that fluctuates with pressure on the joint.
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