Development of the olecranon bursa. An anatomic cadaver study.

Anatomic dissection of the elbows of 63 cadavers selected at random were performed in an attempt to find out whether the incidental disparity of olecranon bursitis between children and adults might be explained by anatomic differences. The volume of the bursae was determined by syringes used for methylene blue injections. There were no olecranon bursae in children under the age of 7 years; the volume of the bursae increased with age; and the bursa was usually larger on the right, i.e., the common dominant side. The formation of the bursae in late childhood can explain the low incidence of olecranon bursitis in children.