Glossary of Terms

Analgesic:
A drug that alleviates pain without causing loss of consciousness.

Anesthesia:
A drug that blocks pain impulses from nerves. With general anesthesia you are unconscious, or asleep. With local anesthesia you are conscious, or awake.

Artifact:
An abnormality in an image resulting in distortion and interference.

CAT or CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography):
A test that uses X-rays and computer analysis to create the three-dimensional pictures of the inside of your body.

Cauda equina syndrome:
The cauda equina is a bundle of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord. Cauda equina syndrome is severe compression of the cauda equina resulting in loss of bowel or bladder function, loss of sensation in the buttocks and groin, and weakness in the legs.

Corticosteroid:
A medicine that reduces swelling, or inflammation.

Degenerative:
Undergoing degeneration: growing less healthy over time.

Extension:
Bending backward, standing upright.

Facet:
Surfaces where two vertebrae meet and articulate (move) forming a joint.

Facetectomy:
An operation to remove part of the facet. To prevent a degenerated facet from pinching a nerve.

Flexion:
Bending forward, or sitting.

Foramen:
A natural opening or passage in bone for nerves and blood vessels.

Foraminotomy:
An operation to make the foramen larger. To provide more space for the nerves and blood vessels.

Fusion:
An operation to permanently join the vertebrae together.

Interspinous Ligament:
Spinal ligament that extends from one spinous process to the other.

Interspinous Process Decompression (IPD^®):
An operation in which an implant, called the X-STOP^®, is placed between your spinous processes.

Interspinous Space:
The space between the spinous processes of the vertebrae.

Intervertebral Disc:
Tissue found between the bones of the spinal column, called vertebrae. The discs help cushion the spine from stress during everyday activities (i.e., walking, bending, sitting, etc.).

Lamina:
A part of a vertebra. For each vertebra, two lamina connect the pedicles to the spinous processes — forming the roof of the spinal canal.

Laminectomy:
An operation to remove the lamina. The purpose is to allow more room for the spinal cord and nerves.

Laminotomy:
An operation to remove part of the lamina. This is done to allow more room for the spinal cord and nerves.

Ligaments:
A band of tissue linking two bones in a joint.

Lumbar:
The lower part of the spine between the ribs and hipbones.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis:
A degenerative spinal disease that causes narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing pinches the nerves and causes pain symptoms.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):
A test that uses magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body.

Myelogram:
A diagnostic procedure in which a dye is injected into the spinal canal before an X-ray is performed. The dye makes the spinal canal and nerve roots easier to see on X-ray film.

Nerves:
Fibers containing nerve cells that send messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Nerve Compression:
Pressure on a nerve; may cause nerve damage and muscle weakness.

Nerve root:
The start of the nerve as it leaves the spinal cord (and passes through the foramen).

Osteophyte:
A bony outgrowth on the edge of a vertebra, also known as a bone spur.

Pedicle:
A part of a vertebra. It connects the lamina with the vertebral body.

Spinal Canal:
The bony channel that contains the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord:
A bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Spinous Process:
A part of the vertebra. A spinous process protrudes from each vertebra. The spinous processes create the “bumps” you feel in the middle of your back.

Spinal Stenosis:
Narrowing of the spinal canal.

Supraspinous Ligament:
Spinal ligament that passes over and attaches to the tips of the spinous processes.

Spondylolisthesis:
A condition in which one vertebra slips forward in relation to the vetebra below it.

Vertebra:
A bone of the spinal column. There are five (5) lumbar vertebrae.

X-ray:
A test that uses radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body.

X-STOP^® IPD^®:
A titanium implant that fits between the spinous processes.