Spine Surgery Glossary

Polyetheretherketone interbody device used to maintain disc space height and promote fusion.

Spinal fusion technique accessing the disc space from directly behind through bilateral laminectomy.

Spinal ligament running along the posterior aspect of vertebral bodies within the spinal canal.

Surgical technique achieving bony union between vertebrae through posterior approach with instrumentation and bone graft...

Failed spinal fusion resulting in persistent motion at the intended fusion site.

Dysfunction of nerve roots causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the distribution of the affected nerve.

Backward displacement of a vertebra relative to the vertebra below it.

Surgical technique of shaping spinal rods to match anatomical spinal curvature.

Alignment of the spine in the side-view plane, critical for efficient posture and gait.

Radiographic measurement assessing global sagittal spinal alignment from C7 to S1.

A developmental disorder causing vertebral wedging and thoracic kyphosis in adolescents, also called Scheuermann's kypho...

Herniation of nucleus pulposus material through the vertebral endplate into the adjacent vertebral body, visible on imag...

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, often with rotational component.

Narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramina that compresses neural structures.

Radiographic measurements that assess the relationship between spinal and pelvic alignment for surgical planning.

Surgical fusion of two or more vertebrae to create a solid bone bridge.

Forward slippage of one vertebra over the vertebra below it.

A stress fracture or defect in the pars interarticularis of a vertebra.

Complete anterior displacement of a vertebra, representing the most severe form of spondylolisthesis where the vertebral...

A fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord, also known as syringomyelia when causing symptoms.

A compression fracture at the thoracolumbar junction with retropulsion of bone fragments into the spinal canal.

Anatomical transition zone between the thoracic and lumbar spine, typically encompassing T10-L2 vertebral segments.

Surgical approach to lumbar fusion performed through the neural foramen from a posterior approach.

A minimally invasive technique using endoscopic visualization through the neural foramen to remove herniated disc materi...