PrintSpinal Program
Glossary
Overview | About the Spinal Program | Understanding Spinal Cord Injury | Research Programs | Glossary | Contact Us
This is not an exhaustive list, but includes some of the terminology used to describe common disorders of the spine and spinal cord:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Anterior
The front portion of the body. It is often used to indicate the position of one structure relative to another.
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint usually characterized by swelling, pain, and restriction of motion.
Autogenous Bone
Bone originating from the same individual; meaning, an individual's own bone.
Autograft Bone
Bone transplanted from one part to another part of the body in the same individual.
B
Bone Plate
Usually a relatively thin metal device which is affixed to bone via screws. Bone plates are used to immobilize bones or bone fragments such that healing can occur.
Bone Screw
A threaded metal device which is inserted into bone. The functions of bone screws are to immobilize bones or bone fragments or to affix other medical devices, such as metal bone plates, to bones.
C
Cervical
The neck region of the spine containing the first seven vertebrae.
Coccyx
The region of the spine below the sacrum. It is also known as the tailbone.
D
Disc (Intervertebral)
The tough, elastic structure that is between the bodies of spinal vertebrae. The disc consists of an outer annulus fibrosus enclosing an inner nucleus pulposus.
Disc Degeneration
The loss of the structural and functional integrity of the disc.
Discectomy
Surgical removal of part or all of an intervertebral disc.
Disc herniation/Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP)
A disruption in the exterior portion of the disc (annulus) that allows part or all of the nucleus to leak out.
F
Fracture
A disruption of the normal continuity of bone.
Fusion
Union or healing of bone.
K
Kyphosis
A posterior curvature of the thoracic spine usually the result of a disease (lung disease, Paget’s disease) or a congenital problem.
L
Laminectomy
An operation for removal of part or all of the lamina of a vertebra, commonly performed in order to be able to remove an intervertebral disc protrusion or to decompress a nerve root.
Lordosis
An abnormal increase in the normal curvature of the lumbar spine.
Lumbar
The lower part of the spine between the thoracic region and the sacrum. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae.
M
Myelopathy
Deterioration or disease of the spinal cord.
N
Nerve Block
An injection of medication directly into or around a nerve or group of nerves to provide regional pain relief.
Neurogenic claudication
Painful walking due to compression of the neural structures of the lumbar region.
Neuropathic Pain
Pain originating from the malfunctioning of the nervous system.
O
Osteophyte
A bony outgrowth or protruberance.
Osteoporosis
A disorder in which bone is abnormally brittle, less dense, and is the result of a number of different diseases and abnormalities.
P
Paresthesia
Abnormal sensation (for example, burning, pins and needles).
Posterior
Located behind a structure, such as relating to the back side of the human body.
R
Radiculitis
Inflammation of a nerve root in the spinal canal.
Radiculopathy
Pain and neurologic deficit caused by injury to a nerve root.
S
Sciatica
A lay term indicating pain along the course of a sciatic nerve, especially noted in the back of the thigh and below the knee.
Scoliosis
A congenital lateral curvature of the spine.
Spinal Stenosis
Reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal due to new bone formation which may result in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Spinal Fusion
A surgical procedure to permanently join bone by interconnecting two or more vertebrae in order to prevent motion.
Spinal Cord
The longitudinal cord of nerve tissue that is enclosed in the spinal canal. It serves not only as a pathway for nervous impulses to and from the brain, but as a centre for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain. View a Spinal Map.
Spondylolithesis
The slippage of a vertebra in relation to adjacent vertebra.
Spondylitis
Inflammation of vertebrae.
Spondylosis
Degenerative changes that occur in the vertebrae at the articulation points (for example, arthritis of the spine)
Syringomyelia
Fluid filled cavity within the spinal cord.
T
Thoracic
The chest level region of the spine that is located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. It consists of 12 vertebrae which serve as attachment points for ribs.
V
Vertebra
One of the 33 bones of the spinal column.
