Glossary

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

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

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

Front of the body.

A surgical approach from the front of the body.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

A surgical procedure to remove a vertebral body.

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

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

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

Tissue that provides a cushion between adjacent vertebrae.

Removal of part or all of an intervertebral disc.

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

The interface between adjacent vertebrae.

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

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

A broken bone.

Joining two bones together so that they do not move.

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

The upper part of the hipbone.

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

Tissue that provides a cushion between vertebrae.

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

A surgical procedure to remove the lamina.

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

Side of the body.

A surgical approach from the side of the body.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disease of the spinal cord.

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

Back of the body.

A surgical approach from the back of the body.

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

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.

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

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

The larger of two bones in the forearm.

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

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

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

A condition of chronic pain associated with the sacroiliac joint.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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