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R

Radiculectomy

Excision of a rootlet or resection of spinal nerve roots.

Radiculopathy

Disease of the nerve roots in or near the spinal canal as a result of direct pressure from a disc, or inflammation of the nerve roots due to disc or spinal joint disease.

Radiation Oncologist

A medical doctor who has received advanced training in the treatment of persons receiving x-ray treatment for an illness.

Radiation Physicist

A person having a PhD degree who is trained in the science dealing with the properties, changes and interactions of continuous energy.

Radiologist

A medical doctor who has received specialized training in interpreting x-rays, CTs, MRIs and performing angiography.

Radiotherapy

Treatment of a lesion with radiation.

Resection

The surgical removal of part of a structure, such as bone.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Generalized inflammatory joint disease.

Rhizotomy

Division of the roots of the spinal nerves.

Rod

In spinal applications, a slender, metal implant which is used to immobilize and alien the spine.

Ruptured Disc

See Herniated Disc.

S

Sacral

Five fused segments of the lower spine, below the end of the spinal column, that connect to the pelvis and have four formina on each side.

Sacroilitis

Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. A very painful, often one-sided sacral area pain that follows delivery, is not due to sepsis, and will subside gradually and completely; acute postpardum sacroilitis.

Sacrum

A part of the spine that is also part of the pelvis. It articulates with the ilia at the sacroiliac joints and articulates with the lumbar spine at the lumbosacral joint. The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae that have no intervertebral discs.

Sciatica

A lay term indicating pain along the course of a sciatic nerve, especially noted in the back of the thigh and below the knee. Pain radiating down the sciatic nerve into the posterior thigh and leg; can be caused by irritation of a nerve anywhere from the back to the thigh.

Scoliosis

Lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

Shunt

A tube or device implanted in the body (usually made of Silastic) to redivert excess CSF away from the brain to another place in the body.

Spinal Canal

The bony channel that is formed by the intravertebral foramen of the vertebrae and in which contains the spinal cord and nerve roots. The space between the vertebral body anteriorly and the lamina and spinal process posteriorly.

Spinal Column

See Spine.

Spinal Cord

The longitudinal cord of nerve tissue that is enclosed in the spinal canal. It serves not only as a pathway for nervous impulses to and from the brain, but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain.

Spinal Disc

See Disc (Intervertebral).

Spinal Fusion

Operative method of strengthening and limiting motion of the spinal column. Can be performed with a variety of metal instruments and bone grafts, or bone grafts alone.

Spinal Stenosis

General term denoting narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar area leading to nerve root compromise; term often used for developmental abnormality that leaves a narrow, bony canal. There are four subgroups of this condition: achondroplastic stenosis, constitutional stenosis, degenerative stenosis, and combined stenosis.

Spine

The flexible bone column extending from the base of the skull to the tailbone. It is made up of 33 bones, known as vertebrae. The first 24 vertebrae are separated by discs known as intervertebral discs, and bound together by ligaments and muscles. Five vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum and 4 vertebrae are fused together to form the coccyx. The spine is also referred to as the vertebral column, spinal column, or backbone.

Spinous Process

The portion of the vertebrae that protrudes posteriorly from the spinal column. The spinous processes create the "bumps" felt on the midline of the back. The most posterior extension of the spine arising from the laminae.

Spondylitis

Inflammation of vertebrae, including types such as ankylosing, rheumatoid and traumatic.

Spondylolisthesis

A defect in the construct of bone between the superior and inferior facets with varying degrees of displacement so the vertebra with the defect and the spine above that vertebra are displaced forward in relationship to the vertebrae below. It is usually due to a developmental defect or the result of a fracture.

Spondylolysis

Displacement of one vertebrae over another with fracture of a posterior portion of the vertebra. A defect in the neural arch between the superior and inferior facets of vertebrae without separation at the defect and therefore no displacement of the vertebrae. It may be unilateral or bilateral and is usually due to a developmental defect but may be secondary to a fracture.

Spondylosis

Ankylosis of the vertebra; often applied nonspecifically to any lesion of the spine of a degenerative nature. Bony replacement of ligaments around the disc spaces of the spine, associated with decreased mobility and eventual fusion; marginal osteophyte.

Sprain

An injury to a ligament when the joint is carried through a range of motion greater than normal, but without dislocation or fracture.

Stenosis

Reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal due to new bone formation which may result in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Stereotaxy

A precise method of destroying deep-seated brain structures located by use of three dimension coordinates.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

The precise delivery of radiation to a preselected stereotactically localized target.

Strain

To injure by overuse or improper use.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Blood in, or bleeding into, the space under the arachnoid membrane, most commonly from trauma or from rupture of an aneurysm.

Subdural Hematoma

A collection of blood (clot) trapped under the dura matter, the outermost membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Subluxation

An incomplete luxation or dislocation; though a relationship is altered, contact between joint surfaces remains.

Superior

Situated above or directed upward toward the head of an individual.

T

Thoracic

The chest level region of the spine that is located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. It consists of 12 vertebrae which serve as attachment points for ribs.

Tic Douloureux

See Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Tissue

A collection of similar cells and the intercellular substances surrounding them.

Titanium

A metallic element used to make surgical implants.

Traction

The act of drawing or pulling, as by an elastic or spring force. A pulling or dragging force exerted on a limb in a distal direction.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

An operation where the lumbar spine is approached through an incision in the back. A portion of bone and disc are removed from the spine and replaced with an implant that is inserted into the disc space.

Transplant

The implantation of bone tissue, as in grafting, from one part of the body to another. Transplant also refers to the transfer of an organ such as a kidney or heart from one individual to another.

Transsphenoidal Approach

Operative method of reaching the pituitary gland or skull base traversing the nose and sinuses.

Transverse

Crosswise; lying across the long axis of the body or of a part.

Transverse Process

Bony process arising from midportion of the spinal ring just posterior to the pedicle and pars interarticulars.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Paroxysmal pain in the face. Pain may be so severe that it causes an involuntary grimace or "tic". (also called Tic Douloureux).

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