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Spine > Vocabulary > Flashcards

Vocabulary Flashcards

(76 cards)

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1
Q

ACDF

A

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

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2
Q

ALIF

A

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion

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3
Q

Annulus

A

The outer layer of the intervertebral disc, which is located between the vertebral bodies. The annulus is made of collagen fibers.

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4
Q

Anterior

A

A term which describes the front of an object.

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5
Q

Apophyseal Joints

A

Joints located in the posterior arch of the vertebral column. Also known as Facet Joints.

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6
Q

Autograft

A

Bone which is taken usually from the patient’s pelvis in order to fuse the spine.

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7
Q

BMP

A

Bone morphogenetic protein. A copy of a protein which is normally made in the body. This protein causes bone formation and fusion.

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8
Q

Bone Strut

A

A bone graft which is placed between two vertebral bodies to give structural support and eventually cause a bone fusion.

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9
Q

Bone Spurs

A

Occurs commonly in the spine due to the natural aging process (osteoarthritis). Bone spurs can occasionally push on nerves causing arm and leg pain.

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10
Q

Bone Graft

A

Pieces of bone which are placed between the vertebrae that eventually grow together forming a spinal fusion.

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11
Q

Burst Fracture

A

A common pattern seen in the vertebral bodies when a traumatic episode occurs and causes the bone to fracture (break).

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12
Q

Cage

A

A cylindrical metal device often made of titanium which can be placed between two vertebral bodies to provide structural support.

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13
Q

Calcification

A

A process which occurs during aging where normal tissues become harder due to increased calcium content.

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14
Q

Cauda Equina

A

A group of spinal nerve roots located below the spinal cord in the vertebral canal

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15
Q

Cervical

A

Refers to the neck. There are seven cervical vertebrae in the neck

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16
Q

Coccygeal

A

The lowest tip of the spine, also known as the tailbone.

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17
Q

Corpectomy

A

A term which describes the removal of the vertebral body, frequently performed to remove pressure off the spinal cord.

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18
Q

Decompression

A

Removal of either bone, disc or calcified ligaments, which is pushing on nerves.

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19
Q

Degenerative Disc Disease

A

Changes which occur in the intervertebral disc during the normal aging process, which makes the disc more brittle.

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20
Q

Disc Bulge

A

A small disc herniation which can irritate a nerve, but usually does not require surgery.

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21
Q

Disc

A

The cushion between each of the vertebral bodies.

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22
Q

Disc Protrusion

A

A larger disc herniation which frequently pushes on nerves in the arms and legs causing pain.

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23
Q

Disc Herniation

A

Occurs when a portion of the cushion between the vertebral bodies (intervertebral disc) is no longer in its normal position. The disc usually ruptures posteriorly and pushes on nerves to the arms and legs.

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24
Q

Discectomy

A

Removal of a portion of the disc.

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25
Discography
An injection of contrast material into the central region of the disc. This is often followed by an x-ray or CT scan.
26
Dura Matter
The membrane that forms the outer covering of the central nervous system.
27
Epidural
Located on or outside of the dura mater.
28
Facet Joint
The joint on the back of the spine between two adjacent vertebrae.
29
Foramina
The space between vertebrae where nerve roots exit to travel down the arms or legs.
30
Fusion
Occurs when bone graft is placed between two vertebrae and the bones grow together. After fusion is complete, there is no motion between these 2 vertebral bodies.
31
Hemangioma
A benign blood-filled cyst which occurs in the vertebral bodies.
32
Instrumented
The placement of metal, screws, plates and rods in the spine.
33
Intervertebral
The space between two spinal bones.
34
Kyphosis
The normal forward curve which occurs in the thoracic spine.
35
Lamina
The bone which is located in the posterior portion of the vertebrae.
36
Laminectomy
The removal of the lamina, frequently done to relieve pressure on the nerves (spinal stenosis).
37
Laminotomy
A removal of a small portion of the lamina, frequently done to remove a portion of the disc.
38
Lordosis
The normal backward curve which occurs in the cervical and lumbar region.
39
Lumbar
The lowest portion of the spine. There are five lumbar vertebrae in the low back.
40
Microdiscectomy
The removal of a ruptured disc through a small incision with the aid of a microscope.
41
Myelography
The injection of contrast material into the subarachnoid space. This is often followed by an x-ray or CT scan.
42
Neoplasia
Refers to abnormal cells which are frequently due to tumors or cancer.
43
Nucleus
The inner portion of the intervertebral disc.
44
OP-1
Osteogenic Protein 1. This bone morphogenetic protein causes bone formation and fusion.
45
Osteoporosis
Decreased bone density which occurs frequently in elderly females.
46
Osteoarthritis
A normal aging process where spurs develop in the spine. The discs lose water content and become narrowed.
47
Osteomyelitis
An infection of bone.
48
Partial Discectomy
Removal of a small portion of the disc, frequently the portion which is ruptured.
49
Paramagnetic Contrast
Material for MR imaging, also known as Gadolinium or Gad. It is used to distinguish between a disc protrusion and scarring.
50
Pedicle
The portion of the vertebrae which connects the lamina to the vertebral body. Frequent site of screw placement.
51
Plate
Flat metal object usually made of titanium with holes for screws to be used in the front of the spine.
52
PLIF
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion. A posterior anatomical description which refers to the back of an object.
53
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rod
54
Sacral
The base of the lumbar spine which connects the spine to the pelvis.
55
Sciatica
Irritation of the sciatic nerve which is the largest nerve in the body and travels down the legs.
56
Scoliosis
A curvature of the spine which occurs most frequently in young adolescent females.
57
Screw
Usually made of titanium and is placed in either the front or back of the spine.
58
Sequestered Disc Fragment
Occurs when a portion of the disc breaks off completely and pushes on the nerves to the arms or legs.
59
Spina Bifida
A congenital problem which occurs due to incomplete formation of the back of the spine.
60
Spinal Fluid
The clear fluid which surrounds the spinal cord and nerves in the spine.
61
Spinal Cord
The connection between the brain stem and the nerves which allows motion and sensation.
62
Spinous Process
The back of the spine bones; this can be felt through the skin.
63
Spondylolisthesis
A forward slippage of one vertebra on the other.
64
Spondylolysis
A stress fracture of the back of the spine. Occurs in the portion of the lamina known as the "pars interarticularis."
65
Spondylosis
Degenerative changes of a section of the vertebra.
66
Stenosis
Decreased space available for the nerves, usually due to arthritis.
67
Syringomyelia
The presence of cavities in the spinal cord.
68
Syrinx
A tubular, fluid-filled cavity in the spinal cord.
69
Tarlov Cyst
A cerebrospinal-fluid-filled dilation, or sac, in a spinal nerve root sheath that can cause symptoms due to nerve root compression.
70
Thecal Sac
Located in the spinal canal; it contains the cauda equina, cerebrospinal fluid and spinal cord.
71
Thoracic
The middle portion of the spine; there are 12 thoracic vertebrae.
72
TLIF
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
73
Transverse Process
The "wings" of the spine which are located posteriorly.
74
Tumors
An abnormal growth of tissue which causes bone destruction.
75
Uninstrumented
Usually refers to a fusion with no screws, rods or plates.
76
Vertebra
A spinal bone.

Spine (15 decks)

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