Spine Surgery Glossary

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, a common surgical approach for cervical spine pathology.

Accelerated degeneration or instability occurring at spinal levels adjacent to a previously fused segment.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion - a spine fusion procedure performed from the front approach.

A disruption in the fibrous outer ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc that may cause pain or predispose to...

Surgical procedure to remove damaged cervical disc material and fuse adjacent vertebrae via anterior approach.

Surgical fusion of a joint, commonly performed in spinal surgery to eliminate motion between vertebrae.

Abnormal movement between the first and second cervical vertebrae (C1-C2), often requiring surgical stabilization.

The engineered combination of implants, bone grafts, and anatomical structures designed to restore spinal stability and...

Growth factor used to enhance bone formation and fusion rates in spinal surgery procedures.

A high-energy spinal fracture involving failure of both anterior and middle columns with retropulsion of bone fragments...

Postoperative displacement of an interbody cage from its intended position, potentially causing complications.

Migration or sinking of an interbody implant into the adjacent vertebral endplates, compromising fusion and alignment.

Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the spinal cord or cauda equina, distinct from foraminal stenosis.

A surgical emergency involving compression of the cauda equina nerve roots causing bowel/bladder dysfunction and bilater...

A motion-preserving surgical procedure that replaces a cervical disc with an artificial disc prosthesis.

Spinal cord dysfunction in the cervical region causing motor and sensory deficits.

A rare malignant bone tumor arising from notochordal remnants, commonly affecting the spine and skull base.

Standard radiographic measurement used to quantify the degree of spinal curvature in scoliosis.

Surgical removal of a vertebral body, typically performed for spinal decompression or tumor resection.

Horizontal connector rods used to enhance spinal construct stability and prevent rotation.

Surgical removal of herniated disc material to decompress spinal nerves.

Infection of the intervertebral disc space, often requiring surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy.

Abnormal enlargement or ballooning of the dural sac beyond normal anatomical boundaries.

Surgical closure of inadvertent or intentional openings in the dura mater during spinal procedures.