Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid filled space - the bursa - which overlies joints in order to reduce friction during movement. The inflammation causes increased production of synovial fluid and the bursa fills and swells. This can become infected and cause pain, but usually the swelling simply causes discomfort through its presence. If it’s infected it requires drainage and treatment with antibiotics. If it's not infected and small it may well resolve spontaneously, otherwise it will need to be drained. The common cause is prolonged pressure such as when leaning on one's elbows for a long period of time (so it's sometimes called student’s elbow).
 
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