Bursae near the hip

A "bursa" is a small fluid-filled sac that sits near a bone. It cushions and protects nearby tissues when they rub on or slide over bones. These sacs, called "bursae," are found in many places throughout the body.

Bursitis happens when a bursa gets irritated and swollen. The bursae in the hip most likely to get bursitis are called the "iliopectineal bursa" and "ischial bursa."

There is another condition called "greater trochanteric pain syndrome" ("GTPS"). It is from overusing 1 of the tendons near the hip. (Tendons attach muscles to bones.) GTPS can cause pain in the "greater trochanteric bursa." But it is not a kind of bursitis.