Spinal Glossary | NSW Spine Specialists

Achondroplastic stenosis
Increase in vertebral thickening, a shortening of the pedicles

Acute
Severe

Adolescent scoliosis
A lateral curvature of the spine that develops during adolescence

Adult scoliosis
A lateral curve or scoliosis that develops after adolescence.

Afferent neuron
An impulse transmitted to the central nervous system

Allograft
A sterile bone graft used in spinal fusion derived from human sources. Bone taken from one individual and placed in another individual

Analgesia
Loss of pain sensation

Anaesthesia
Loss of consciousness due to the anaesthetic drugs, loss of sensation of total body part

Anaesthetist
Physician who has specialised in anaesthetics and pain management

Anisospondyly
Abnormal shaped vertebral bodies

Anterior
The front

Anterior approach
Used when approaching the spine from the front of the body

Anterior cervical discectomy
An operation that is approached from the front of the neck that involves removing herniated disc material

Anterior cervical decompression fusion
An operation on the upper spine to decompress nerve roots and fuse the unstable vertebral segments

Anterior displacement
Forward movement of a vertebral segment

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
A lumbar spinal fusion that is approached from the front

Anterior lateral
From the front and to the side

Anterior lateral approach
An operative approach through rib resection on the side of the body

Anti-coagulant
A medication that thins the blood to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis

Arachnoid
Middle layer that covers the brain and spinal cord

Arthralgia
Joint pain

Arthritis
Inflammation of the joint with possible swelling, pain and stiffness

Arthrodesis
The fusion of bones across a joint space. This may happen spontaneously or by means of surgical fusion

Arthroplasty
The surgical remodelling of a diseased joint

Atlas
The first cervical vertebra

Atrophy
The wasting away of body tissue

Autogenous bone
An individual’s own bone

Autologous
A bone graft from and for the same individual

Axis
The second cervical vertebrae on which the first vertebrae rotates giving the head movement

Back ache
Any non specific pain in the back – usually in the lower part

Backbone
Vertebral column or spine

Benign
Not considered to be cancerous – does not generally spread to other parts of the body

Biocompatibility
A characteristic of some materials that when implanted into a human, does not produce a significant immune response

Biopsy
Where a small piece of tissues or bone is taken for testing

BMP
Bone morphogenic protein

Bone
A hard calciferous material that composes the structural skeleton, provides also a framework to which muscles, ligament and tendons attach

Bone derivative
A substance extracted from bone

Bone graft substitute
A material used instead of bone graft, for the purpose of increasing bone formation

Bone graft
Bone that is taken from one area of the individual and placed in another area of the individual

Bone harvesting
The removal of bone from one site in the body to another

Bone plate
Usually made from metal or titanium, used in conjunction with bone screws for the fixation of bone

Bone screws
Screws used to immobilise, for bone fixation or plate fixation

Bovine bone graft
A bone graft from bovines or cows

Brace
Used to aid in support or immobilisation of the back

Cancellous bone
The honeycomb like structure of the middle region of long bones

Carotid artery
A large vessel found on either side of the neck that branches into the external and internal carotid arteries. The carotid supplies the a large amount of blood to the brain

Cartilage
The heard thin layer of tissue that covers the end of bones. It encourages movement by reducing friction at the joint

Cauda Equina
A bundle of nerve roots begin at the finish of the spinal cord proper that supply the lower limbs

Centrum
The body of the vertebrae

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
A clear fluid that baths the brain and spinal cord and acts as a shock absorber

Cervical
Related to the region of the neck

Cervical collar
A supportive band worn round the neck following injury or surgery to the cervical region

Cervical plexus
A number of nerves that supply the neck muscles

Cervical decompression
Where the cervical nerve roots are freed or decompressed

Cervical fusion
Where a determinate number of cervical vertebrae are fixated using bone screws, cages and bone plates

Coagulation
Process of blood clotting

Cobalt-chrome
Otherwise known as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum. This is a mixture of metals used in many surgical implants

Coccyx
The coccyx is a fusion of the last 4 vertebrae of the spinal column into 1 small bony structure

Collagen
A protein that contributes to the make up of living tissue such as skin, tendons, cartilage and bone

Compensatory curve
A curve above or below a primary scoliosis curve. This type of curve helps the body to remain stable

Collagen
A protein that contributes to the make up of living tissue such as skin, tendons, cartilage and bone

Compression
To squeeze together or to make something smaller. An example is nerve root compression where the nerve roots are squashed and irritated causing pain

Computer Tomography (CT)
A scanning process whereby a three dimensional image of soft tissue or bone is created

Congenital Scoliosis
Scoliosis that is caused by genetic disposition to a vertebral alignment abnormality

Contrast Medium
Usually a radiopaque fluid, used to define a structure during a radiologic examination or procedure

Cortical Bone
The hard outer layer of the bone

Cytology
The study of cells

Decompression
An operation to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots

Degenerative disc disease
Gradual or rapid loss of the structural and functional integrity of the intervertebral disease

Degenerative stenosis
Gradual hypertrophy of bone or cartilage leading to a narrowing of vertebral margins, facet joints or vertebral canal

Demineralised bone
Bone that has been depleted of minerals for example osteoporotic bone having lost calcium

Dermatome
Refers to the distribution of sensory nerves near the skin that are responsible for pain, pins and needles or numbness. In relation to the spine the dermatome corresponds to the effected vertebral level

Discitis
A non bacterial inflammation of an intervertebral disc

Discogram
A radiographic representation of the intervertebral disc by injecting dye into the nucleus pulposus

Distal
Situated away from the midline of the body

Dysaesthesia
A condition in which an unpleasant sensation is produced by ordinary touch, temperature or movement

Dysplastic
Congenital abnormality

Electroencephalopgrahy (EEG)
The study of the electric activity in the brain

Endogenous
Derived from one's own body

Epidural
A space directly outside the dura mata. It is referred to as extra dural

Excision
The removal of tissue

Exogenous
Originating outside the body

Extrusion
Displaced disc material that has herniated out to the spinal canal but remains connected to the central disc

Facet
There is a superior and inferior facet for each vertebrae. They are flat surfaces that make up a joint when placed next to the vertebrae above and below

Facet arthropathy
Degenerative changes to the facet joints

Facectomy
Excision of an articular facet

Fibrosis
The replacement of normal tissue with hardened scar tissue

Flattening of the normal lumbar curve
Where the normal lumbar curve is abnormally shallow

Flexion
To flex or bend forward

Food and drugs administration (FDA)
An American agency that has regulatory authority over management and distribution of drugs, medical devices and food

Foramen
A natural opening in the bone allowing for spinal nerve roots to pass from the spinal cord between the vertebrae

Foraminotomy
A surgical opening or widening of the foramen

Fracture
The disruption of the normal continuity of bone

Functional scoliosis
Also known as non-structural scoliosis, it has a temporary cause and does not involve spinal rotation.

Fusion
Union or healing of bone. Also fixation or stabilisation of bone ie spinal fusion

Graft
Unattached tissue or bone for transplantation.

Haemangioma
A benign tumour consisting of a mass of blood cells

Haematoma
A collection of blood forming a clot

Haematomyelia
An effusion of blood (haematoma) into the spinal cord

Haematorrhachis
Spinal apoplexy or haemorrhage into the vertebral canal

Hemi
One sided

Hemi atrophy
Wasting of half an organ or body

Hemi laminectomy
The excision of only one side of the lamina relative to the spinous process

Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body

Hemi laminectomy
The excision of only one side of the lamina relative to the spinous process

Haemorrhage
Bleeding due to the escape of blood from the blood vessels

Hereditary
The passing on of traits to the offspring through genetic information

Herniation
A protrusion

Herniation intervertebral disc (HID)
Outpouching of disc material into the vertebral canal

Herniation of nucleus pulposus (HNP)
Extrusion of the inner nucleus pulposus through a defect in the outer layer called the annulus fibrosis

Hydroxyapatite (HA)
The lattice like structure of bone composed of calcium and phosphorous crystals which deposit on collagen to provide a rigid structure of bone. Also used in bone graft substitute

Hyoid bone
Small bone lateral to the trachea, located at the level of the 3 rd cervical vertebrae

Hyper
Above normal, excessive

Hyperaesthesia
Excessive sensitivity to touch, or other stimuli.

Hyperextension
Extension of a limb or back beyond it’s normal limits ( bending back)

Hyperflexion
Fexion of a limb or the back beyond it’s normal limits (bending forward)

Hyperthermia
Increase in body temperature beyond normal limits

Hyperlordosis
Increase in the normal anterior curve of the cervical and lumbar spine

Hypothermia
Decrease in body temperature beyond normal limits

Idiopathic
Of unknown origin

Idiopathic scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of unknown origin

Iliac crest
The large prominent part of the pelvic bone from which bone graft is often taken for fusion

Immobilisation of the back
Limitation or fixation of the back or part there of, usually to promote healing

Infantile scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature beginning before the age of 3 years

Instrumentation
The use of instruments such as metal screws and rods during a surgical procedure

Interbody
Between the vertebral bodies of 2 adjacent vertebrae

Interspinous ligament
Ligaments between each of the spinous processes

Interspinous pseudarthrosis
Formation of false joints between 2 spinous processes

Intervertebral disc narrowing
The narrowing of space between 2 vertebral bodies

Invivo
Within a living body

Inferior
Situated below or directed downwards

Informed consent
Documentation that states the patient has received sufficient information to have surgery, legal document

Ischaemia
Inadequate circulation of blood to the brain

Isthmic spondylolisthesis
A spinal condition caused by a defect of the pars interarticularis

Joint
The junction of 2 or more bones that permits varying degrees of movement between the bones

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Generalised inflammatory joint disease in children

Juvenile Scoliosis
Begins between the ages of 3 and 10 years

Kinetic
Meaning motion or movement

Kyphosis
An abnormal increase in the normal kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine. Hump back curvature or any forward bending area or deformity of the spine

Lamina
A flattened part of the vertebral arch that covers the spinal cord and nerves

Laminectomy
Excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae

Lateral
To the side away from the midline

Ligament
A band of fibrous, flexible connective tissue that is attached near the ends of a bone. It provides stability and limits some joint motion

Ligamentum Flavum
A band of yellow elastic tissue that runs between the laminae of the 1st cervical vertebrae to the sacrum serving to close the spaces between the vertebral arches and giving stability to the vertebral column

Lipoma
A benign fatty tumour

Lordoscoliosis
Abnormal lateral curve associated with a backward spinal curve

Lordosis
A normal forward curve in the neck and lower back

Lumbago
A non medical term for lower lumbar back pain

Lumbar
The lumbar spine is situated between the thoracic spine and the sacrum

Lumbar curve
A lordotic curve from 1st and 5th vertebrae

Lumbar kyphosis
The reverse of the normal curve of the lower back

Luxation
Dislocation

Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI)
A diagnostic test that produces a cross section of the body – defining structures within the brain and the spine

Malignant
Cancerous

Marginal osteophytes
Excessive bone that forms at the margin of the vertebral body

Medial
Towards the middle or midline of the body

Minimally invasive surgery
Surgery that is conducted through a small incision

Myelalgia
Pain from the spinal cord

Myelapoplexy
Loss of nerve strength caused by a disorder of the spinal cord

Myelatelia
Imperfect development of the spinal cord

Mylogram
An x-ray of the spinal canal following an injection of a contrast into the CSF

Nerve
A whitish cord like structure composed of one or more bundles of myelinated or non myelinated fibres

Nerve root
The proximal end of the nerve close to the spinal cord

Neural Arch
Bony arch that surrounds the spinal cord

Neuralgia
Pain extending down one or more nerves

Neurectomy
Excision of part of a nerve

Neuritis
Inflammation of a nerve

Neurolysis
Excision of scar tissue from a nerve or nerve root

Neuroma
A tumour largely made up of nerve fibres

Neuromuscular scoliosis
Scoliosis caused from a muscle disorder

Neuropathic pain
Pain caused by damage to the nerve tissue that is felt as burning or stabbing

Neuropathy
A functional disturbance to the peripheral nervous system

Neurostimulation
Surgical placement of a wired device that is designed to block pain signals to the brain. When strategically placed either at the sight of the effected nerve or near the spinal cord the pain is transformed to a tingling sensation

Neuro surgery
A surgical speciality that is involved with the treatment of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve disorders

Non union
Failure of a fracture to heal or to obtain bony fusion following arthrodesis

Nucleus pulposus
The gelatinous tissue in the centre of an intervertebral disc

Occiput
The base of the skull

Oedema
A collection of fluid (swelling) usually extra cellular

Oesophagus
The long tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach

Olisthy
Slipping of bone or bones from the normal anatomical position

Orthopaedics
The medical speciality that involves the preservation, and restoration of the musculoskeletal system that includes the treatment of spinal disorders and peripheral nerve injury

Osteoinductive
A material with the ability to induce bony growth

Ossification
The process of forming bone in the body

Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of the bone due to an infective process

Osteophyte
A bony overgrowth

Osteoporosis
A disorder in which the bone loses its density and becomes “soft”.

Pain
An unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It is felt as pain due to nerve fibres that travel from the sight of dysfunction to the brain

Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower extremities

Paravertebral muscle spasm
Spasm of the muscles either side of the spinous process that can cause intense pain

Pars Interarticulars
The superior and inferior facets are joined to each others by the “pars”

Pathology
The study of disease

Pedicle
The strongest part of the neural arch that joins the lamina to the vertebral body

Physiotherapy
Exercising specific parts of the body to relearning movement, regain range of movement or rehabilitate part of the body

Piriformis Syndrome
A diagnosis based on pain in the buttock leading down the back of the thigh otherwise known as sciatica

Platysma
The thin outermost muscle in the anterior neck

Plexus
A network of inter joining nerves, blood vessels or lymphatic vessels

Posterior
Towards the back of the body or the back of a structure with in the body

Posterior fusion
A fusion in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions that has been approached from the back

Prosthesis
A term used to describe surgical implants used in the body

Proximal
Nearest the centre or midline of the body

Pseudoarthrosis
A form of non union where the fusion has formed a false joint

Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs

Rachialgia
Pain in the vertebral column

Rachicentisis
Lumbar puncture for the examination of the spinal fluid

Rachiocampsis
Curvature of the spine

Rachiopathy
Any disease of the spine

Rachioscoliosis
Lateral curvature of the spine

Radiculopathy
Disease of the nerve roots near the spinal cord as a result of direct pressure form a disc, or inflammation of the nerve root due to disc or spinal joint disease

Radiologist
A medical doctor with specialised training in the interpretation of x-rays, MRI and CT’s.

Recombinant human protein
Proteins developed by isolating a human protein and using recombinant DNA technology to genetically engineer proteins that act like natural proteins

Referred pain
Pain that is felt far from its origin for example, leg pain that originates from the lower back or shoulder tip pain from gas that is trapped under the diaphragm

Reflex
An involuntary reaction in response to stimuli

Retrolisthesis
Posterior displacement of vertebrae one on top of the other

Rhizolysis
Freeing of the vertebral nerve root

Sacral
The sacrum is the lowest five fused vertebral segments of the spinal column

Sagittal
Means longitudinal

Sciatica
A lay term that describes pain that travels from the buttock down the posterior thigh following the sciatic nerve

Scoliosis
A lateral curvature of the spine

Spinal Canal
The bony canal made up of the neural arch one on top of the other that encases the spinal cord

Spinal Cord
Longitudinal cord of nerves that ends at the level of L1

Spinal Fusion
A surgical method for stabilising and strengthening the spinal column

Spinal Stenosis
Denotes the narrowing of the spinal canal leading to nerve root compression

Spine
The flexible column of 33 bones that are called vertebrae

Spinous Process
The part of the neural arch that protrudes posteriorly and can be felt under the skin

Spondylarthritis
Arthritis of the spine

Spondylitis
Inflammation of the vertebrae

Spondylolisthesis
Varying degrees posterior or inferior vertebral displacement. This can be as a result of degeneration, genetics or trauma

Spondylolysis
A defect in the neural arch between the superior and inferior facets. This does not necessarily indicate vertebral displacement

Spondylopathy
Any vertebral disorder

Spondylosis
Degenerative bony replacement of ligament around the disc space. This can lead to a decrease in mobility and eventual fusion

Stenosis
Reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal or lateral foramen, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots

Tendon
Made up primarily of collagen, is a fibrous band of tissue that connects muscle to bone

Tension
An act of stretching or pulling tight

Thoracic
The region of the spine at the level of the chest

Thrombus
A blood clot that is attached to the wall of an artery

Tissue
A collection of similar type of cells that make up a structure

Titanium
A metallic element that is used in surgical implants

Toxicology
The study of the toxic or harmful effects of substances on the body

Traction
A pulling force on a limb or spinal column in a distal direction

Transitional Vertebrae
A vertebrae that has elements of two types of vertebrae. For example the fifth lumbar vertebrae which has partial sacral components

Transverse
Crosswise, lying across the long axis of the body or body part

Transverse process
A bony process that extends out from the mid portion of the neural arch, giving rise to the arms of the cross

Ultrasound
The use of high frequency sound waves to create visuals of the internal body structures

Uncovertebral
Pertaining to the uncinate processes of the vertebrae

Uni
One side as in unilateral

Union
The coming together of tissue separated by injury or the knitting together of bone in a fusion

Ureter
16 to 18 inch tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder

Vagus nerve
The tenth cranial nerve responsible for both sensory and motor function. Situated in the neck along side the carotid artery

Vascular
Related to or containing blood vessels

Vasoconstriction
A decrease in the diameter of blood vessels

Vasodilatation
An increase in the diameter of the blood vessels

Vasospasm
Spasm of the blood vessel causing vasoconstriction

Vertebra
One of 33 bones that make up the spinal column that protects the spinal cord and gives the body’s trunk stability

Vertebral body
This is the main rectangular portion of the vertebra

Whiplash
A common term used to describe hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck

Wire
A metal thread available in various diameters to aid in fixation of fractures and fusion surgery

Xenograft
A graft derived from one species for the use in another species

X-Ray
Ionising electromagnetic radiation emitted from an evacuated tube towards a target anode. This produces clear images of bone inside the body

Xylocaine
A type of local anaesthetic also known as lidocaine

Z Plasty
The repair of a skin defect using two triangular flaps