Glossary Terms

Question 1

Ablation

Answer 1

The removal of a body part or destruction of its function

Question 2

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Answer 2

Idiopathic spinal coronal plane curvature greater than 10 degrees and presenting near the onset of puberty

Question 3

Arthrodesis

Answer 3

The surgical fixation of a joint to promote fusion of the bones

Question 4

Crankshaft Deformity

Answer 4

A potential deformity which occurs when the posterior elements of a skeletally immature patient fuse. The vertebral bodies may continue to grow after posterior fusion, resulting in a deformity.

Question 5

Decompensation

Answer 5

Relative to scoliosis, the loss of spinal balance when the thoracic cage is not centered over the pelvis in the coronal plane.

Question 6

Discectomy

Answer 6

The removal of all or part of an intervertebral disc

Question 7

Discogram

Answer 7

Radiographic procedure in which contrast material is injected into the intervertebral disc under fluoroscopy and the patency of the disc is evaluated.

Question 8

Etiology

Answer 8

The cause or origin of a pathology; also spelled aetiology

Question 9

Hyperkyphosis

Answer 9

A spinal deformity of the sagittal plane in which excessive flexion occurs. The deformity may be smooth with a small degree of excessive flexion at multiple levels or angular with acute flexion at one or two segments. Commonly referred to as a humpback or hunchback.

Question 10

Hypokyphosis

Answer 10

Alignment of the sagittal plane in which there is less than the normal amount of flexion, but where the sagittal plane continues to have an anterior concavity.

Question 11

Iatrogenic

Answer 11

The clinical response, usually unfavorable, to a medical or surgical treatment.

Question 12

Idiopathic

Answer 12

Of unknown cause or etiology

Question 13

Kyphosis

Answer 13

A posterior curve in the sagittal plane of the spine; a normal spine has a kyphotic curve at the thoracic level of approximately 20-40 degrees, as well as a sacral kyphosis.

Question 14

Lamella, pl. lamellae

Answer 14

The layers of collagen and elastin fibers that are arranged concentrically to make up the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. The horizontal fibers of each lamella run in the opposite direction of the adjacent layers to create a strong, flexible lattice structure.

Question 15

Laminectomy

Answer 15

Surgical removal of part or all of the posterior vertebral elements to allow space for the neural structures

Question 16

Laminoplasty

Answer 16

Surgical reconstruction of the posterior vertebral elements to increase space for the neural structures while maintaining the posterior arch.

Question 17

Lordosis

Answer 17

An anterior curve in the sagittal plane of the spine; a normal spine has a lordotic curve at the cervical level of approximately 20-40 degrees and at the lumbar level of approximately 30-50 degrees.

Question 18

Myelogram

Answer 18

Radiographic technique in which contrast material is injected into the subarachnoid space of the cauda equina and X-rays or CT scans are taken; allows visualization of the neurological structures.

Question 19

Myelopathy

Answer 19

Deterioration or disease of the spinal cord

Question 20

Osteoblast

Answer 20

A cell that forms bone

Question 21

Osteoclast

Answer 21

A cell that resorbs bony tissue

Question 22

Radiculopathy

Answer 22

Deterioration or disease of a nerve root

Question 23

Radiolucent

Answer 23

Being of a density that allows passage of some or all X-rays. Most anatomical structures have some degree of radiolucency.

Question 24

Radiopaque

Answer 24

Being dense enough to block passage of some or all X-rays.

Question 25

Retrolisthesis

Answer 25

The posterior slippage of a vertebra in relation to the inferior adjacent vertebra.

Question 26

Scheuermann’s Disease

Answer 26

Kyphotic condition resulting from idiopathic aseptic necrosis of the vertebral bodies. Also referred to as Juvenile Kyphosis.

Question 27

Sciatica

Answer 27

Pain in the lower back and hip that radiates into the back of the thigh and leg; results from compression of the L5-S1 nerve root.

Question 28

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 28

The anterior slippage of a vertebra in relation to the inferior adjacent vertebra.

Question 29

Spondylolysis

Answer 29

A defect in a vertebra, usually in the area of the pars interarticularis, in which the vertebral body maintains relatively normal alignment.

Question 30

Spondyloptosis

Answer 30

A spondylolisthesis of L5 in which the vertebral body has slipped entirely off the top of the sacrum and into the pelvic cavity.

Question 31

Spondylosis

Answer 31

The degenerative changes that occur in the articulation points of a vertebra; essentially, arthritis of the spine.

Question 32

Stenosis

Answer 32

The narrowing of a tube or passage.

Question 33

Subluxation

Answer 33

Relative to the spine, a partial or incomplete vertebral slip in relation to the adjacent vertebrae. Commonly referred to as Spondylolisthesis

Question 34

Synovitis

Answer 34

Inflammation of a synovial membrane

Question 35

Tension Band

Answer 35

Posterior spinal muscle group that works collectively to maintain an upright posture.