Spine Key terms Flashcards
A pair of small joints, one on each side, betweeneach vertebra at the back of the spine, whichprovide mainly rotational stability. They may become arthritic and cause nerve pressure.
Facet Joints
the caudal end of the spinal cord
Conus medullaris
Latin for the ‘tail of the horse’, refers to the leash of small but vital nerves in the lumbar region which run down to the bladder, anal sphincter and genital area providing them with sensation and muscle power. Damage may occur from pressure from a disc prolapse or injury. That pressure needs urgent surgical intervention within a few hours to give a chance of recovery.
Cauda equina
At each level in the spine a pair of nerves emerges between the vertebrae on each side. These are the nerve roots that may then combine to form nerve trunks such as the sciatic nerve in the legs or the median nerve in the arms.
spinal cord
The curved triangular bone at the base of the spine, which with the pelvic bones on eachside, forms the complete pelvis.
Sacrum
A bony column rising from the back of the body of the vertebra on each side, which forms an arch throughwhich the spinal nerves run. Forms a useful anchorage for pedicle screws in spinal surgery.
Pedicle
Delicate membrane inside the dura, surrounding the brain and spinal nerves and containing the cerebrospinal fluid
Arachnoid
Narrowing of the spinal canal and/or nerve outlets resulting in claudication.
Spinal stenosis
Bony prominences around the margins of joints associated with osteoarthritis. May cause pressure on adjacent structures, e.g. nerves.
Osteophytes
Degenerative or wear-and-tear change in a spinal joint. Often associated with age and of little significance, but may be a source of pain especially combined with an injury.
spondylosis
That part of the back of the vertebra, which with the two pedicles, completes the arch through which the spinal nerves run.
Lamina
The soft centre of the intervertebral disc. Jelly-like in the young but gradually dehydrates and shrinks with age.
nucleus pulpous
Clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal nerves. Withdrawn at lumbar puncture for diagnostic testing. Sometimes leaks during spinal surgery and may require a procedure to repair the leak followedby lying down for a few days.
Cerebrospinal fluid
The main nerve trunk as thick as your little finger which runs from the base of the skull down to the second lumbar vertebra inside the spinal canal. Injury results in paralysis and loss of sensation below the level of injury.
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describes anomalies of the spine associated with incomplete embryologic development
Dysgraphia