Glossary
 

Instability abnormal motion or shifting of the spine which may result in a painful condition or nerve compression.

Fusion creation of a bone bridge between two vertebrae.

Instrumentation metallic plates, rods, hooks, screws or cages attached to or inserted in the spine to achieve stability and enhance fusion.

Neurological deficit abnormalities such as weakness, numbness, or reflex loss.

Spondylolishesis forward slippage of one vertebra on the vertebra below.

Decompression removal of bone, ligament, or disc to relieve pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord.

Microdiscectomy surgical removal of a disc through a minimal incision performed with the assistance of a microscope.

Scoliosis curvature of the spine from side to side.

Kyphosis excessive bending forward or rounded curvature of the spine.

Retrolisthesis slippage backwards of one vertebra on the vertebra below.

Olisthesis rotation or slippage sideways of one vertebra on the vertebra below.

Flexion bending forward.

Extension bending backward or arching of the spine.

Paraspinous on either side of the spine.

Stenosis narrowing of the spinal canal. This may occur in the central, lateral recess, or foraminal area of the spinal canal.

Myelography injection of dye into the spinal fluid which can be visualized on x-ray identifying areas of pressure on the spinal nerves or cord.

Spondylosis bone spurs along the margin of the disc.

Pseudoarthosis failure of fusion or bony union to occur between two vertebrae or bones.

Corpectomy resection of a vertebra, usually performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.

Discectomy removal of disc either partially or completely.

Spondylolisthesis forward slippage of a vertebra on the vertebra below. Several types may occur: 

Isthmic resulting from a fracture through the pars.

Degenerative resulting due to degeneration and shifting out the facet joints.

Post Laminectomy resulting from surgical remove off the facet joints.

Decorticate removal of the outer hard layer of a bone.

Lleus a decrease or absence of bowel activity.

Thrombosis blood clot.

Auto transfusion transfusion of the patient’s own blood.

Foramenotomy enlargement of the neural foramen.

Laminotomy partial removal or creating an opening in the lamina.

Subluxation shifting of a joint or vertebra.

Afebrile without fever.

Dura the covering of the spinal cord and nerve roots containing the cerebral spinal fluid.

Paraparesis weakness of the lower extremities

Laparoscopic visualization inside the abdomen using fiber-optic cameras inserted through small openings.

Signal intensity brightness of a tissue or structure on MRI.

Marrow immature blood cells contained in bone.

Discogram injection of dye into a disc.

Peritoneum the sac or lining around the bowels and abdominal contents.

Femoral rings cadaver bone grafts taken from the femur (long bone of the thigh).

Cancellous bone honey comb bone located in the shaft or central areas of the bone.

Cortical bone the dense hard outer shell of a bone.

Fibrous union development of dense scar connecting bones rather than fusion.

Retrograde ejaculation semen enters the bladder during orgasm rather than being ejaculated from the penis.

Bone graft bone bone placed in or on the spine to achieve a fusion or union between vertebra.

Autograft bone taken from the patient.

Allograft bone from another person (cadaver).

Strut graft a long section of bone used to replace one or more vertebra.

Subcuticular below the skin.

Traction stretch.

Periosteum a thin layer of tissue covering bone.

Retroperitoneal exposure of the spine directly through the abdomen.

Transabominal exposure of the spine brhinf the peritoneum directly through the abdomen.

Cage a metallic implant containing a cavity filled with bone graft.

R.S.D. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

Horner’s Syndrome irritation or damage to the cervical sympathetic ganglion resulting in ptosis (drooping eyelid), miosis (small pupil), and anyhdrosis (dry eye).