Glossary

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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

Scoliosis that develops in children between 10 and 18 years old with an unknown cause.

Adolescent Scoliosis of the Adult (ASA)

Scoliosis that was present during adolescence and then worsened during adulthood.

Allograft Bone

Bone that is donated from another person, typically a cadaver.

Anterior

Front of the body.

Anterior Approach

A surgical approach from the front of the body.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

A surgical procedure from the front of the neck in which an interbody spacer is inserted into the disc space to support fusion.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

A surgical procedure from the front of the lower spine, through the abdomen, in which an interbody spacer is inserted into the disc space to support fusion.

Anterior Spinal Fixation

Screws and plates or rods placed from the front of the spine to hold the vertebrae in place.

Anterolisthesis

A condition in which a vertebrae slips forward relative to the vertebrae below.

Autograft Bone

Bone that is obtained from another place in the patient’s own body. Autograft bone may be taken from the iliac crest of the pelvis.

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Bone Graft

A transplant consisting of bone taken from one area to another area of the body.

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Cervical

The upper portion of the spine (neck) that is comprised of seven vertebrae.

Corpectomy

A surgical procedure to remove a vertebral body.

CT Scan

Computerized tomography (CT) is an x-ray procedure that combines numerous x-ray images to create cross-sectional images or “slices” of the body.

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De Novo Degeneration Scoliosis (DDS)

Scoliosis that began in adulthood due to degenerative changes in the spine, causing a deformity to develop.

Degenerative Disc Disease

A condition in which the intervertebral disc deteriorates over time and may lose height.

Disc

Tissue that provides a cushion between adjacent vertebrae.

Discectomy

Removal of part or all of an intervertebral disc.

Distal Radius Fracture

A breakage of the radius bone, which is located closest to the wrist.

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Facet Joint

The interface between adjacent vertebrae.

Femur

The long bone in the upper leg, or the thighbone.

Foramen

A bony opening created by the pedicles of adjacent vertebrae in the spine, creating a passageway for spinal nerve roots to exit.

Fracture

A broken bone.

Fusion

Joining two bones together so that they do not move.

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Herniated Disc

An intervertebral disc that bulges outside its normal area due to overuse, injury or disease, potentially causing pain and limiting function.

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Ilium

The upper part of the hipbone.

Interbody Spacer

An implant that is inserted into the disc space to support the vertebrae where the disc was removed.

Intervertebral Disc

Tissue that provides a cushion between vertebrae.

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Lamina

One of two flat areas of each vertebrae that join and act as a roof over the spinal cord.

Laminectomy

A surgical procedure to remove the lamina.

Laminoplasty

A surgical procedure in which the lamina is cut on one side and lifted to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.

Lateral

Side of the body.

Lateral Approach

A surgical approach from the side of the body.

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)

A surgical procedure from the side of the lower spine in which an interbody spacer is inserted into the disc space to support fusion.

Lateral Spine Fixation

Screws and rods or plates placed from the side of the spine to hold the vertebrae in place.

Ligament

Bands of tissue that connect bones to each other and provide stability to a joint.

Lumbar

The lowest portion of the spine (lower back) that is comprised of five vertebrae.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a radiographic procedure that uses magnets to create cross-sectional images or “slices” of the body.

Motion Preserving Spine Surgery

A surgical procedure that removes an unhealthy disc in the spine and replaces it with an artificial disc, allowing motion of the spine.

Myelopathy

Disease of the spinal cord.

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Pedicle

One of two bony projections that connect the vertebral body to the lamina.

Posterior

Back of the body.

Posterior Approach

A surgical approach from the back of the body.

Posterior Cervical Fusion

A surgical procedure from the back of the neck that uses implants such as screws and rods to stabilize the spine.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

A surgical procedure from the back of the lower spine (approximately centered) in which an interbody spacer is inserted into the disc space to support fusion.

Posterior Spinal Fixation

Screws and rods placed from the back of the spine to hold the vertebrae in place.

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Radiculopathy

A compressed nerve in the spine that can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness along the course of the nerve.

Radius

The larger of two bones in the forearm.

Rib Hump

A hump on one side of the spine that is most noticeable when bending forward.

Robotic Spine Surgery

A surgical procedure using robotic equipment to locate anatomical structures in the spine and guide instruments for the surgeon to accurately place implants.

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Sacroiliac (SI) Joint

The joint between the sacrum and ilium bone of the pelvis which is connected by ligaments.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

A condition of chronic pain associated with the sacroiliac joint.

Sacroiliac Joint Fixation

A minimally invasive surgical procedure in which screws are implanted into the sacroiliac joint to prevent movement.

Sacrum

The bottom portion of the spine that is comprised of five fused bony segments.

Scoliosis Correction

A surgical procedure to correct a curvature of the spine. The spine is corrected by placing screws into the vertebrae and using contoured rods to correct the curvature.

Spinal Cord

A thick column of nerves that extends from the skull to the lumbar spine to carry nerve signals to and from the brain.

Spinal Fusion

A surgical procedure that allows two or more vertebrae to fuse together over time. A plate and/or rods and screws are implanted to hold the vertebrae together.

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal where nerve roots and the spinal cord travel.

Spondylolisthesis

A condition in which a vertebrae slips forward relative to the vertebrae below.

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Thoracic

The middle portion of the spine (upper/middle back) between the neck and lower back that is comprised of 12 vertebrae.

Tibia

One of two bones in the lower leg, or the shinbone.

Transforaminal Approach

A surgical approach to the spine through the foramen, which requires removal of the facet joint on one side.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

A surgical procedure from the back of the lower spine (offset from center) in which an interbody spacer is inserted into the disc space to support fusion.

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Vertebra

The bones of the spine that make up the spinal column. Each vertebra has a canal for the spinal cord to pass through.

Vertebral Augmentation

A minimally invasive surgical procedure in which bone cement is injected into a fractured vertebra to provide stability.

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X-ray

An image produced by the use of radiation waves to show bone and other tissues in the body


Disclaimer:

The material on this website is intended to be an educational resource only and is not meant to be a warranty or to replace a conversation between a patient and their physician or member of their health care team. Please consult a physician for a complete list of indications, contraindications, precautions, warnings, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to this procedure. The decision to receive medical treatment is individualized to the patient and the patient’s symptoms. The information presented on this site may not apply to your condition, treatment or its outcome, as surgical techniques vary and complications can occur. It is important to discuss the viability of any surgical procedure with a physician to decide the right treatment option.