Glossary of Terms

Allograft – a human bone obtained from a bone bank that is placed between vertebrae to develop fusion.

Annulus – the outer ring of a vertebral disc.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) – an operation where the lumbar spine is approached from the front through an incision in the abdomen.

Arthritis – inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and changes in structure.

Arthrodesis – surgical fixation of a joint, ultimately resulting in bone fusion.

Arthropathy – joint disease or abnormality.

Arthroplasty – the operative procedure of reshaping or reconstructing a diseased joint.

Articular – of or relating to a joint or joints.

Autograft – a bone taken directly from the patient’s body that is placed between vertebrae to develop fusion.

Avascular – not associated with or filled with blood vessels.

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BMP – Bone Morphogenetic Protein. A material often used to promote bone growth.

Bone Graft – bone taken from the patient during surgery or a bone substitute that is used to take the place of removed bone or to fill a bony defect.

Bone Spurs – bony projections formed along joints that can limit motion and can cause pain (also called osteophytes).

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Cancellous Bone – Cancellous Bone – open, latticed, or porous inner bone structure.

CAT Scan – stands for Computerized Axial Tomography. It is the use of a computer to produce, from x-ray data, a cross-sectional view of the anatomical part being investigated.

Cauda Equina – a bundle of nerve roots from the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves.

Cauda Equina Syndrome –a rare disorder affecting the bundle of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord.

Cervical Spine – the uppermost portion of the spine; the neck.

Coccyx – the tailbone.

Contraindication – a factor that renders the administration of a drug or device or the carrying out of a medical procedure inadvisable.

Cortical Bone – hard, strong outer shell of bone.

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Degenerative Arthritis – deterioration or impairment of a joint.

Degenerative Disc Disease – a slow deterioration of discs located between vertebrae.

Delayed Union – fusion takes longer than expected to heal.

Denervation – deprivation of a nerve supply, as by surgically removing or cutting a nerve or by blocking a nerve connection with drugs.

Disc degeneration – the deterioration of a disc and possible loss of disc height.

Discectomy – removal of a portion of a herniated disc.

Dura Mater – a protective membrane covering the spinal cord and brain.

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Fluoroscope – a portable x-ray machine used in surgery.

Foramen – an opening or orifice, as in bone.

Fusion - the joining together of two or more vertebra.

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Hardware Fracture – when fusion hardware from fusion breaks down or moves from its correct position.

Herniated Disc – a bulge in a disc that can press on nerves and cause pain.

Hypertrophy – enlargement of an organ.

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Idiopathic – of, relating to, or designating a disease having no known cause

Implant Migration – an intervertebral implant that has moved out of place.

Innervation – to supply with nerves; to stimulate to action.

Instability – abnormal or excessive motion between two or more vertebrae.

Intervertebral Disc – a flat, round “cushion” that acts as a shock absorber between vertebrae.

Ischemia – a decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue or part caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.

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Kyphosis – abnormal rearward curvature of the spine, resulting in protuberance of the upper back. (hunchback)

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Lamina – a part of the vertebra located in the back of the vertebral body.

Laminectomy – when part or all of the lamina is removed.

Lordosis – abnormal forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region.

Lumbar Spine – lower portion of the spine between the thoracic spine and the sacrum. The lumbar spine consists of five bones (vertebrae) labeled L1-L5.

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Minimally Invasive – a surgical procedure where a small incision is made and instrumentation is used through this incision.

MRI – stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A device used to provide images of the heart, large blood vessels, the brain, and soft tissue.

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Nonunion – fusion does not heal as planned.

Nucleus Pulposus – center of the intervertebral disc.

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Osseous – composed of, containing, or resembling bone; bony.

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative disease of joints resulting from wear of the cartilage.

Osteophyte – a small, abnormal bony outgrowth.

Oswestry Disability Index – a low back pain disability questionnaire used to measure a patient’s permanent functional disability.

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Pars Defect – stress fracture in the spine.

Pars Interarticularis – a thin slice of bone on the vertebra located between the sides of the facet joint.

Pathophysiology – the functional changes associated with or resulting from disease or injury.

Pedicle – strong portion of the spinal vertebral bone that connects the front of the spine to the back of the spine.

Pelvis – the bony structure formed by the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) – an operation where the lumbar spine is approached from the back through and incision in the lower back.

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Radiculopathy – pain from a nerve root.

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Sacral Ala – the “wings” of the sacrum that connect the sacrum to the pelvis.

Sacral Spine – lowest portion of the spine below the lumbar spine. The spinal column consists of five bones (vertebrae) labeled S1-S5.

Sacroiliac Joints – joints that connect the sacrum to the pelvis.

Sacrum – large wedge-shaped bone with five fused sacral vertebrae (S1-S5).

Sagittal Plane – longitudinal plane that divides into right and left sections.

Sarcopenia – decrease in muscle mass and strength with age.

Sciatica – pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain which radiates from the back to the lower extremities.

Scoliosis – “S” shaped curvature of the spine.

Spinous Process – bony portion opposite the body of the vertebra.

Spondylolisthesis – forward displacement of one of the lumbar vertebrae over the vertebrae below it.

Spondylolysis – A crack in the bony ring of the spinal column.

Stenosis – constriction or narrowing of a duct or passage.

Subluxation – incomplete or partial dislocation of a bone in a joint.

Synovial Joint – a structure that allows movement between two bones.

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Thoracic Spine – middle portion of the spine below the cervical spine (neck) and above the lumbar spine. This area consists of your upper body and ribs.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) – an operation where the lumbar spine is approached from the side.

Transverse Processes – small, bony bumps where back muscles attach to vertebrae.

Tumors – an abnormal swelling in or on a part of the body, usually applied to abnormal growth of tissue.

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Vertebra (plural: vertebrae) – any one of the 33 bony segments of the spinal column.

Visual Analog Scale - A tool used to help a person rate the intensity of certain sensations and feelings, such as pain.

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