Glossary
of Spine Terms
|
| A B C D E
F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U
V W X Y Z |
| Anterior -
front; anterior refers to the approach used by
the surgeon to reach the spine through the front of the
the body. Cervical and Lumbar surgeries are done anteriorly.
See also, Anterior
Spinal Fusion. |
| ALIF - Anterior
(from the front) Lumbar Interbody Fusion. See also, Anterior
Spinal Fusion. |
| Allograft -a piece tissue
transplanted from a bone bank to replace one that's damaged
or diseased. |
| Autograft - a piece of the
patient's own tissue transplanted to replace one that's
damaged or diseased. Generally, the tissue is taken from
the hip. |
Artificial
Disc - a prosthetic devise with an elastic
nucleus similar to a natural disc. See also: Artificial
Disc, Artificial
Disc Surgery. |
| A/P X-ray - X-rays taken
with a frontal and back view of the patient's spine. |
| Bending X-ray - X-rays
are taken with the patient bending to the right and
to the left. These x-rays reveal how flexible the
curve is and can give some prediction of the amount
of correction that can be obtained with surgery. |
Bulging Disc - A
bulging disc is a slight protrusion of the center of
the disc (nucleus pulposus) into the spinal canal. In
a bulging disc, the annulus fibrosus (outer ring) has
not been ruptured. |
| Cell
Saver - An interoperative machine used to salvage
blood lost during the surgical procedure. The machine
spins, washes, and filters blood, returning the red
blood cells to the patient. |
| Cobb Measurement -
Method of measuring the degree of curvature of scoliosis.
See also Adolescent Scoliosis. |
| Cervical
spine - refers to the neck; the uppermost
region of the backbone, including: the first seven
vertebrae, the nerve elements (spinal cord and nerve
roots) inside them, and all supporting structures
that join them together. |
| Congenital
Scoliosis - scoliosis due to bony abnormalities
of the spine present at birth. These anomalies are
classified as failure of vertebral formation and/or
failure of segmentation. |
| Degenerative
Disc Disease - Degenerative Disc Disease refers
to the loss of loss of hydration in the disc and weakening
of the annulus(outer lining of the disc). Trauma can
cause the annulus to tear and disc material leaks out
and presses on a nerve. Degenerative disc disease is
very common in the human population but is not always
symptomatic. |
| Discectomy - the cutting
out (-ectomy) of an intervertebral disc. |
| Graft -
a piece of tissue transplanted to replace one that's
damaged or diseased; in this case, a bone graft may be
used to fill the emptied intervertebral disc space. |
| Hemangioma -
A hemangioma is a benign tumor usually found in the thoracic
area of the spine. Some patients with hemangioma are
asymptomatic, others will report pain at the vertebral
level effected by the hemangioma. |
| Herniated
disc - the rupture of the center of an
intervertebral disc through its fibrous outer ring
and causes compression of the spinal cord or nerve
roots; also called ruptured
disc or (incorrectly) slipped disc. See
also Herniated Disc. |
| Idiopathic
Scoliosis - three dimensional deformity where
the twisting of the spine is coupled with curvature
producing deformity in both coronal and sagittal
(side view) planes. |
| Kyphosis -
Kyphosis is an abnormal increase in normal kyphotic (posterior)
curvature of the thoracic spine which can result in a
noticeable round back deformity. |
| Laminectomy - performed
to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. The term
is derived from lamina (part of the spinal canal's bony
roof), and -ectomy (removal). |
| Lateral X-ray - An X-ray
taken from the side. |
| Levoscoliosis -
main curve of the spine is curved to the left side of
the body. |
| Lordosis -
Lordosis is the abnormal increase in normal lordotic
(anterior) curvature of the lumbar spine. This can lead
to a noticeable "sway-back" appearance. |
| Lumbar
Spine - refers to the low back; the region
of the backbone, including: the five vertebrae L1-L5,
the nerve elements (spinal cord and nerve roots)
inside them, and all supporting structures that join
them together. |
| Osteoid
Osteomas - Osteoid Osteomas is a benign cancer
usually found in adolescents. Patients usually present
with a complaint of severe pain. The treatment plan
often includes a CT scan, anti-inflammatory medication,
and surgery. |
| Osteophytes - Osteophytes
or bone spurs, are bony overgrowth at the edge of the
joint possibly as a result of arthritis. This boney overgrowth
can impinge nerves in the spinal canal, and cause pain. |
| Posterior
- back; posterior refers to the approach
used by the surgeon to reach the spine through the
back of the the body. |
| Radiculopathy- Nerve
pain in the leg or arm which may be amenable to local
treatments such as steroid blocks. |
| Risser Sign- A pelvic x-ray
is taken of a child to determine the skeletal maturity.
There is a creasant shape bone development that is classified
on a scale of 1 to 5; 5 being mature. |
| Rotoscoliosis -
main curve of the spine is curved to the left side of
the body. |
| Sciatica
- Term for symptoms such as tingling, numbness,
burning along the branches of the Sciatic nerve. These
areas include the buttocks, back of the legs, to the
ankle and foot. |
| Scoliosis- Scoliosis
is a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. |
| Spinal
Balance - In any spinal procedure, it is
essential that the surgeon maintain the natural curvature
of your spine. |
| Spinal Cord Monitoring- During
surgery the physician monitors the integrity of the spinal
cord. The machine used monitors somatosensory evoked
potentials (SEP). |
| Syrnix - Collection of fluid
in the spinal cord. |
| Thoracic
Spine - refers to the midback; the region
of the backbone, including: the twelve vertebrae
T1-T12, the nerve elements (spinal cord and nerve
roots) inside them, and all supporting structures
that join them together |
| Thoracoplasty - Removal
of a rib during scoliosis surgery. |
| Whiplash
- Whiplash refers to a sprain or strain of the
muscles in the neck. This occurs when there is a sudden
flexion and extension of the neck. |
