Sierra Flashcards
Osteoconductive
Provides a natural scaffold for new bone formation (doesn’t cause osteogenesis though, only aids). Usually used in reference to bone graft.
Osteogenesis
The formation of bone
Osteoinductive
Osteoinduction is the process by which osteogenesis is induced. Osteoinduction implies the recruitment of immature cells and the stimulation of these cells to develop into preosteoblasts.
Allograft bone
A tissue graft used during surgery that is taken from someone other than the patient being operated on, usually from a cadaver or a bone bank.
Problems: by itself it is only osteoconductive, not osteoinductive. Needs something like stem cells or bmp to cause bone cell growth.
Autograft
Bone graft which is created from taking bone from one location in an individual (ileum of pelvis usually) and placed in another in the same individual.
Problems: extra surgery time & usually means multiple incisions = more chance for complications, infections and longer recovery.
Xenograft
Bone graft taken from another species
Problems: only osteoconductive, not osteoinductive on its own
DBM
A bone grafting option often used during spine fusion surgery. Minerals are taken out of the bone graft in attempt to make it more osteoinductive
BMP
A growth factor that triggers the formation of new bone or cartilage. Sometimes BMP is used in lieu of bone graft in spinal fusion surgeries
Ankylosis
Immobility or consolidation of a joint due to bone fussion, disease, injury or surgical procedure.
Arthrodesis (artificial ankylosis)
The surgical fixation of a joint by a procedure designed to accomplish fusion of the joint surfaces by promoting the proliferation of bone cells; also called artificial ankylosis
Annulus fibrosis
Cartilaginous outer wall of an intervertebral disc; contains the inner gel-like fluid of the disc’s nucleus pulposis
Antero-lateral
Situated and occurring in front of and to the side
Acute
Pain that is sudden; categorized as lasting three months or less.
Antero-medial
Situated and occurring in front of and to the middle
Antero-posterior (AP)
Directed from the front to back
Anterior lumbar internist fusion (ALIF)
A spine surgery that fuses two or more lumbar vertebrae together into a solid segment of bone. The fusion takes place between anterior vertebral bodies, meaning the posterior arch and spinous process are not fused
Apical vertebrae
The most rotated vertebrae in a curve; the most deviated vertebrae from the patients access.
Arthro-
Prefix referring to “joint”
Arthritis
Commonly used term that describes a disorder that causes inflammation, pain and restricted movement of the joints
Arthroplasty
The field of medicine dealing with the surgical reconstruction and total replacement of degenerated joints
Arthroscope
A type of endoscope used to gain access and visualization to the interior of a joint to correct abnormalities
Arthroscopy
A minimally invasive procedure that utilizes an arthroscope to visualize the inside of a joint.
Articular
Of or relating to a joint or joints
Bone
Hard rigid form of connective tissue composed mainly of calcium salts, hydroxyapatite crystals and collagen
Bone growth stimulator
An electrical device used to induce the growth of new bone after a spinal fusion surgery. It can be implanted or worn externally
Bone marrow
Contained within the internal cavities of bone. A major function of marrow is to produce red blood cells.
bone plate
A relatively thin metal device which is affixed to bone via screws. They are used to immobilize bones or bone fragments such that healing can occur.
Bulging disc
Occurs when an intervertebral disc weakens and loses its natural shape, causing it to protrude outside of its normal boundaries
C-collar (cervical collar)
A rigid brace which supports the head and neck. Used for stabilization of c1-c7
Cervical spine
Composed of seven vertebrae labelled C1-C7
Cancellous Bone
Also called spongy bone or trabecular bone. The mesh work of spongy tissue (trabeculae) of mature adult bone typically found at the core of vertebral bones and at the ends of long bones (e.g. Femur)
Cortical bone
Also called compact or non-cancellous bone. It is bone tissue which has depleted itself of its minerals. Usually found in the middle of long bones or surrounding the cancellous bone on a vertebrae.
Cartillage
The hard thin layer of white glossy tissue that covers the end of a bone joint to allow motion to take place with minimum friction
Cauda Equina
Bundle of nerve roots in the lumbar spine that branch off the end of the spinal cord and extend through the lower extremities, bowls and bladder.
The spinal cord ends around L2 which is where this branches off
Cauda Equina syndrome
An emergency condition caused by the compression of the Cauda Equina in the spinal canal. Symptoms include pain, paralysis and incontinence(loss of bowl/bladder control).
Centrum
Also known as vertebral body. It is the body of a vertebrae
Cerebrospinal fluid (csf)
Protective fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord; helps keep nerve tissue healthy by removing wastes.
Chemonucleolysis
A minimally invasive treatment for patients suffering from degenerative disc conditions in the back or neck. A medical professional injects chymopapain into the affected disc to reduce swelling, alleviate nerve compression and reduce symptoms.
Claudication
Medical term that describes difficulty walking due to leg or back pain. Claudication can often be traced to nerve compression in the spine
Cobb angle measurement
Calculated by selecting the upper and lower vertebrae in a curve. Erecting perpendiculars to their transverse axis. At the point of intersection of these perpendiculars, the angle they make is measured to indicate the curve’s angle
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0501/afp20020501p1817-f2.gif
Coccyx
“Tailbone”
A vestigial set of bones that is comprised of 3 to 5 individual vertebrae that are fused together.
Collagen
A fibrous protein which is a major constituent of connective tissue such as skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone.
Collapsed disc
Occurs as a result of an injury or regular wear and tear. This condition is relatively common as individuals grow older and is actually asymptomatic unless the disc or disc material comes into contact with a nerve root or the spinal cord itself
Comminuted fracture
A fracture in which a bone is broken into more than two pieces. Often internal or external fixation devices are used to maintain proper alignment of the fragments
Compensatory curve
A curve which can be structural, above or below a major curve that tends to maintain normal body alignment.
Computerized tomography (CT)
A CT scan uses X-ray technology to study the inner working of the body. Used to generate an image of a specific part of the body from a series of two-dimension images taken around us.
Transverse
Refers to a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Arthropathy
A collective term for any disease of the joints
Congenital
Present at and existing from the time of birth
Decompression
Treatment designed to alleviate pressure on a nerve, nerve root, or the spinal cord itself.
Degenerative disc disease
Refers to the gradual deterioration of one or more of the intervertebral discs that cushion and support the bones of the spine
Dermatones
Areas of the skin primarily innervated by a single spinal nerve. Pain or numbness in a particular dermatome can help show where in the spine a problem exists.
Disc joint disease
Degenerative changes in the facet joints characterized by cartilage thinning and osteophyte formation
Discectomy
Surgical removal of a herniated intervertebral disc
General spine anatomy
http://www.siumed.edu/surgery/neurosurgery/images/spinal_curves_regions.jpg
Vertebrae anatomy
http://www.emory.edu/ANATOMY/AnatomyManual/back.html
Discitis
An inflammatory disorder of the intervertebral disc especially in inter articular cartilage (cartilage that lines the top and bottom of the vertebrae)
Discography
Injection of radiopaque dye into the disc to look for leaks and outline herniations.
Distal
Situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point of the body.
Distraction
Excessive space between fracture fragments or vertebral segments due to interposed tissue or most often, axial forces. Often used as a non surgical method to decompress disc.
Dorsal root ganglion
Bundle of nerve cells on the dorsal nerve root, located near or under the facet joint. Very sensitive to pressure
Caudal vs. cephallic (cranial)
Caudal= toward feet
Cranial or cephallic=toward head
Ventral vs dorsal
Ventral= anterior Dorsal = posterior
De novo
Starting from the beginning. New
Coronal (frontal)
refers to a section that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.
Corpectomy
A spinal surgery in which the vertebral body is removed with the aim of releasing neural compression. Vertebral body is taken out and then superior and inferior vertebrae are fused.
Sagittal
Refers to lengthwise cut that divides the body into left and right parts.
Dura mater
The outermost of three layers that make up the meninges, which is a protective membrane system that surround the brain and spinal cord
End plate
The outer wall or membrane on the top and bottom of the vertebrae; water and nutrients diffuse into the disc from the end plate.
End vertebrae
The most cephallic vertebrae of the curve, whose superior surface tilts maximally toward the concavity of the curve. The most caudal vertebrae whose inferior surface tilts maximally toward the concavity of the curve
Endogenous
Arising within or derived from the body
Endoscope
A surgical or diagnostic tool comprised of fiber optic tubes and video display instruments that is used to view interior body cavities (including spine)
Epidural
Situated outside the thin, tough dural membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Excision
Removal by cutting away material
Exogenous
Originating outside of the body
Facetectomy
Excision of a facet
Fibrosis
The replacement of normal tissue with scar tissue
Intervertebral or “Neural” Foramen
The bony hollow archway created by pedicels of adjacent vertebrae, creating a passageway through which all spinal nerve roots run. As a a spinal nerve branches from the spinal cord, it exists through this opening and travels to organs muscles and sensory structures of the body
Facet joint (zygapophyseal, apophyseal)
Synovial joint between the superior articular process of one vertebrae and the inferior articular process of the vertebrae right above it
Spinal nerves emergence
They emerge from above in the cervical spine and below in the rest
Gibbus
A sharply angular kyphosis
Herniated disc
Condition in which the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc is torn, enabling the nucleus pulposis to herniated or extrude through the fibers
Hook
A metallic medical device used to connect spinal structures to a rod
Hydroxyapatite
Crystal structure of bone composed of calcium phosphate mineral. Accounts for rigidity of bones. It is often used in the manufacture of bone void filler products tang provide a scaffolding for vine growth to supplement a patients own bone in surgical procedures
Idiopathic scoliosis
Scoliosis is a term used to describe an abnormal curvature of the spine. Can be caused by congenital, developmental or idiopathic problems. Most scoliosis cases have no known cause=idiopathic scoliosis. Accounts for 80%
Iliac crest
Large, prominent portion of the pelvis bone at the belt line of the body
Interbody
Between vertebral discs
In vitro vs in Vivo
Vitro= biological phenomena that are made to occur outside the living body (general in test tube)
In Vivo=within a living body
Kyphosis and lordosis
Kyphotic= curvature of the thoracic spine (u shape opening toward front of body). Kyphosis is an exaggerated kyphotic curve
Lordotic= curvature of the cervical and lumbar spine. Lordosis is exaggerated
Lamina
An anatomical part of the vertebra that connects the pedicels to the spinous process as part of the neural arch. Two for each vertebra
Laminectomy
A procedure involving surgical removal of the Lamina to allow for exploration of the disc and foramina.
Laminotomy
Procedure in which an opening is made in a Lamina to approach the intervertebral disc or neural structure
Ligament
A fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone at or near a joint to provide stability or limit motion. Can be a source of pain if strained or torn
Lumbar
Lower part of spine between the thoracic and sacral regions. Consists of 5 vertebra
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A diagnostic imaging test for soft tissues such as the intervertebral disc and neural structures as well as bones
MIS Lumbar laminectomy/discectomy
An operation performed on the lower spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. Removal of the Lamina and intervertebral disc
MALIF (Minimum Acesss lumbar Interbody fusion)
Surgical procedure for lower back pain designed to stabilize a weakened spine and relieve pain due to fractures or damaged vertebra.
Myalgia
Muscle pain
Myelogram
Injection of radiopaque dye into the dural sac.. Compression of the MIS Lumbar laminectomy/discectomy dura by a herniated disc is outline
Myelopathy
Any functional or pathological disturbance in the spinal cord causing tingling or weakness.
Neoplasm
Any new or abnormal growth, specifically a new growth of tissue in which the growth is uncontrolled
Nerve root
A bony arch of the posterior aspect of a vertebra that surround the spinal cord, also referred to as the vertebral arch.
Non-Union
Failure of the fragments of a fractured bone to heal or obtain bony fusion following arthrodesis
Osteoblast
Cells that produce bone
Osteopenia
Any state in which bone mass is reduced below normal
Osteophyte
Bone spurs thought to be formed as small pools of blood from annular tears calcify. Bone spurs are physical indications that there is degeneration in the spine.
Osteoporosis
A disorder characterized by abnormal loss of bone occurring most frequently in post menopausal women, sedentary or immobile individuals and in patients on long term steroid therapy.
Pedicle
The part of each side of the neural arch of a vertebra. It connects the Lamina with the vertebral body
Pedicle screws
Bone screws placed through the Lamina, through the Pedicle and into the vertebral body for internal or external fixation
Pelvic obliquity
Deviation of the pelvis from the horizontal in the frontal plane. Fixed pelvic obliquities can be attributed to contracture either above or below the pelvis.
Periosteum
A fibrous membrane that covers the surface of bone except at the end of the bones where it is covered with cartilage as part of a joint. It is involved with forming new bone,
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
Surgical procedure in which graft material is inserted into the disc space, as well as, in the posterior bony spinal elements in order to achieve spinal fusion
Prosthesis
An artificial body part such as an artificial arm or leg. It is also used to describe some of the implants used in the body that act as disc replacements
Prolapsed disc (herniated/ruptured)
Occur when nucleus pulposis pushes through the annulus fibrosis she’ll and into the spinal column
Pseudoarthritis
Condition in which a bone has movement at the location of the fracture due to the inadequate healing of the fracture
“false joint”
Radiculopathy
Impairment of a nerve root, usually causing radiating pain, numbness, tingling or muscle weakness that correspond to a specific nerve root.
Retrolisthesis
Posterior displacement of a vertebra on the one below
Resection
The surgical removal of part of a structure, such as a bone
Resorption
The removal of bone tissue by normal physiological process or as part of a physiological process such as an infection
Rhizotomy
Surgical transaction of a nerve root
Sciatica
Pain, numbness, tingling in the distribution of the sciatic nerve which travels from deep in the buttock down to the foot
Scoliosis
Lateral curvature of the spine
Sepsis
A state of infection of tissue due to disease- producing bacteria or toxins.
Spinal canal
The passageway, encased by vertebra, through which the spinal cord passes
Spinal stenosis
Local segmental or generalized narrowing of the central spinal canal by bone or soft tissue elements which may result in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots
Spondylolisthesis
Displacement of one vertebra over another with fracture of a posterior portion of the vertebra. A defect in the neural arch between the superior and inferior facets of the vertebrae without separation at the defect and therefore no displacement of the vertebrae.
Spondylolysis
A fracture in the pars interarticularis.
Tendon
A band of tough, inelastic fibrous tissue that connects muscle to its bony attachment
Transformaminal lumbar Interbody fusion
A fusion surgery in which the lumbar disc space is fused from a posterior approach outside of the facet joint
Translation
Vertebral body displacement
Vertebral osteomyelitis
Infection of the bony structures of the spine
Ventral root
The motor root of a spinal nerve
Vertebral foreamem
Opening formed by a neural arch through which the spinal cord passes
(Spinal canal at an individual level)
Viscera
The internal organs of the body, especially those of the abdominal region
Wolffs law
States that bone responds dynamically rosters and strain by altering its internal architecture
X-ray
Diagnostic tool that uses electromagnetic radiation to view dense structures inside of the body, including bones, muscles and ligaments
Sacral promontory
The superior and anterior most part of the sacrum that connects with L5
Uncinate process
Found in cervical spine. Processes on the lateral portion of the end plates
