Glossary of Terms
Annulus fibrosus: The fibers that make up the bulk of intervertebral discs.
Anterior: Term that refers to the front side of the human body.
Anterolateral: Refers to something located on the front and to the side of the body.
Arachnoiditis: Swelling and irritation of the Arachnoid membrane. This generally happens to the nerves that exit the spinal cord.
Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint(s). This is typically characterized by pain, joint swelling, and restricted movement. Arthritis can also be associated with irregular bone growth around joints.
Bone Spur: Usually refers to irregular bone growth usually adjacent to a degenerative joint.
Cauda Equina: The term used to describe the collection of nerves that continue down the spinal canal after the spinal cord ends at L2.
Centrum: Name given to the central portion of a vertebra.
Cervical Spine: The first seven vertebrae of the spine (C1-C7).
Coccyx: Commonly referred to as the "tailbone". Located at the end of the spine, just below the sacrum and consists of four fused vertebrae.
Conus Medullaris: This is where the spinal cord ends and tapers into a cone-shaped structure. A part of the conus medullaris called the Filum Terminale runs down to the coccyx and anchors the spinal cord in place.
Disc (Intervertebral): Sometimes called the suspension system of the vertebrae, a disc is an elastic-like structure that operates between each vertebra to absorb force and shock.
Disc Degeneration: As a person ages changes occur in the spinal discs resulting in less fluid being produced to lubricate the disk. Over time, this causes the disc to become thinner and less flexible. Trauma (i.e. herniated disk) may also lead to disc degeneration. While some people experience pain associated with this condition others may have no pain or discomfort. Depending on where the degeneration has occurred pain is most often felt in the neck or lower back and may radiate out to the arm, buttocks and/or thigh.
Distal: Farthest from a point of origin and/or attachment.
Facet: Protrude from the pedicle and form the joints of the spine that link each vertebra together. They allow for flexion, extension and rotation of the spine and, make the spine itself more stable due to the interlocking nature of the vertebrae. Each vertebra has 2 pairs of facets: 1 pair faces upward (superiorly) and 1 pair faces downward (inferiorly).
Herniated Disc: A common injury where the interior material of an intervertebral disc either ruptures or moves from its original position. The condition can be painful, as it puts pressure on the nerves throughout the spine.
Joint: A place where two or more bones meet. The function of joints is to provide mobility and hold the skeleton together. Depending on the anatomy and the type of joint, different ranges of mobility are possible.
Lamina: This forms the posterior portion of the spinal canal. It can be either flat or curved and makes up a central part of the vertebral arch and is in continuity with the spinal process.
Lateral: Refers to something that is located to the right or left of the midline of the body.
Ligament: The tissue that connects one bone to another bone in order to form a joint. Ligaments are comprised of fibrous tissues and can also run between the spine's different bones.
Lumbar Spine: The lower five vertebrae of the spine (L1-L5).
Nerves: The body's messengers, nerves are comprised of tissue and carry information from the brain to the body. Likewise, nerves transmit information back to the brain from different parts of the body.
Nerve Root: Each nerve root serves to connect a spinal nerve to the spinal cord. There is an anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) nerve root. The anterior roots contain motor fibers that stimulate muscles while the posterior nerve roots contain sensory fibers that relay information to the spinal cord.
Neural Arch: Sometimes called the vertebral arch, this is a bone-comprised structured that resides on the back of a vertebra and encapsulates the all-important spinal cord.
Pedicle: Bony “pillars” that project posteriorly from each vertebra. When vertebrae are stacked on top of one another the pedicles form openings called Intervertebral Foramina and it is here where spinal nerves pass through and continue throughout the body.
Posterior: Name given to the backside of the body.
Proximal: Closest to the point of attachment and/or origin
Rotation: Name given to the movement when a person twists. Vertebrae move onto one another and allow for mobility.
Sacrum: Consists of five fused vertebrae and starts after L5.
Sciatica: A medical problem due to compression or injury of the sciatic nerve. Pain, numbness or tingling may be felt from the lower back and all the way down the back of the leg. Sciatica is commonly caused by a slipped disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, a tumor, an injury to the pelvis or Piriformis Syndrome.
Scoliosis: Abnormal curvature of the spine. There are three types of Scoliosis: Functional, Neuromuscular and Degenerative
Spinal Canal: This is the space formed by the opening or “foramen” of each vertebra through which the spinal cord runs the length of the spine. It serves as protection for the spinal cord and its subsequent roots.
Spinal Cord: A bundle of nerve tissue that runs from the brain and ends at L1 or L2 and is encased in the spinal canal. This is the body's means of communication, carrying sensory and motor information to and from the brain.
Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal which can place pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Spine: Also referred to as the “spinal column” or “vertebral column” it is made up of 26 bones (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum & the coccyx) and begins at the base of the skull and ends near the lower region of the pelvis.
Spondylitis: A chronic condition in which the vertebrae become inflamed.
Spondylolisthesis: Condition where one vertebra slips or displaces onto another. Can be very painful and require surgery.
Spondylosis: Degeneration of the spine. This usually happens with the bones at vertebral joints.
Superior: Refers to something located above or something that has been directed toward the skull.
Thoracic Spine: This is the middle region of the spine. It attaches to the ribcage and is made up of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12).
Vertebrae: Refers to each vertebra of the spine. There are 26 vertebrae that make up the adult spine.