Pronunciation: [bˈʊlə] (IPA) 
The word "bulla" can be a tricky one to spell, as there are multiple ways it can be pronounced depending on the context. In English, it can be pronounced as /ˈbʌlə/, with a short "u" sound and the stress on the first syllable. However, in Latin, where the word originated, it is pronounced as /ˈbʊl.la/, with a long "u" sound and the stress on the second syllable. It can also be spelled as "bullae" in its plural form.
A bulla is a term with multiple meanings depending on the context. In ancient Rome, a bulla was a hollow oval or heart-shaped locket worn by freeborn children as a protective charm around their necks. It was typically made of metal, such as gold or silver, and contained an amulet or small piece of parchment with magical or religious significance. This bulla was believed to ward off evil spirits and ensure the child's well-being.
Bulla can also refer to a papal bull, a type of official document or charter issued by the Pope. Papal bulls were traditionally sealed with a round leaden or golden seal called a bulla, which gave rise to the term. These documents were important decrees that covered various subjects, such as canonizations, appointments, or doctrinal matters within the Roman Catholic Church.
Additionally, bulla is used in medicine to describe a fluid-filled sac or blister-like lesion that forms on the skin or inside the body. These bullae can vary in size and are often indicative of a medical condition or injury, such as burns, allergies, or autoimmune diseases.
In summary, bulla can refer to a protective charm worn by children in ancient Rome, an official document issued by the Pope, or a fluid-filled sac or blister in medicine. The term encompasses various cultural, historical, and medical contexts.
A bleb, blister; a circumscribed area of separation of the epidermis, due to the presence of a clear non-purulent fluid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "bulla" has a Latin origin. It derives from the Latin word "bulla", which means a rounded object or a bubble. In ancient Rome, a "bulla" referred to a type of charm or amulet, typically worn by young boys, which was made in the shape of a rounded container or a bubble. The term was later extended to signify various round objects, such as seals, ornaments, or papal documents, and it eventually came to refer to a specific type of document or seal used by the Catholic Church.
