If you are suffering from back or neck pain, it is crucial for you to receive a professional diagnosis as soon as possible. Dr. Rovner is one of the best spine surgeons in NJ who has the experience and expertise necessary to help patients actualize successful outcomes with orthopedic spine surgery.
Explore our comprehensive spine surgery glossary. First and foremost, our New Jersey spine surgery center is focused on educating patients so they best understand their condition.
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Achondroplastic Stenosis
Increase in vertebral thickening, a shortening of the pedicles.
Acute
Severe.
Adolescent Scoliosis
A lateral curvature of the spine that develops during adolescence.
Adult Scoliosis
A lateral curve or scoliosis that develops post adolescence.
Afferent Neuron
An impulse transmitted to the central nervous system
Allograft
Is a sterile bone graft used in spinal fusion derived from human sources. Bone taken from one individual and placed in another individual.
Analgesia
Loss of pain sensation.
Anaesthesia
Loss of consciousness due to the anaesthetic drugs, loss of sensation of total body part.
Anaesthetist
Physician who has specialised in anaesthetics and pain management.
Anisospondyly
Abnormal shaped vertebral bodies.
Anterior
The front.
Anterior Approach
Used when approaching the spine from the front of the body.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy
An operation that is approached from the front of the neck that involves removing herniated disc material.
Anterior Cervical Decompression Fusion
An operation on the upper spine to decompress nerve roots and fuse the unstable vertebral segements.
Anterior Displacement
Forward movement of a vertebral segment
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
A lumbar spinal fusion that is approached from the front
Anterior Lateral
From the front and to the side.
Anterior Lateral Approach
An operative approach through rib resection on the side of the body.
Anti-coagulant
Is a medication that thins the blood to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Arachnoid
Middle layer that covers the brain and spinal cord.
Arthralgia
Joint pain.
Arthritis
Inflammation of the joint with possible swelling, pain and stiffness.
Arthrodesis
Is the fusion of bones across a joint space. This may happen spontaneously or by means of surgical fusion.
Arthroplasty
Is the surgical remodelling of a diseased joint.
Atlas
The first cervical vertebra.
Atrophy
Is the wasting away of body tissue.
Autogenous Bone
An individual’s own bone.
Autologus
Means a bone graft from and for the same individual.
Avascular
No blood vessels situated with in the structure.
Axis
The second cervical vertebrae on which the first vertebrae rotates giving the head movement.
Bach Ache
Any non specific pain in the back – usually in the lower part.
Backbone
Vertebral column or spine.
Benign
Is not considered to be cancerous - does not generally spread to other parts of the body.
Bio Compatibility
A characteristic of some materials that when implanted into a human, does not produce a significant immune response.
Biopsy
Where a small piece of tissue or bone is taken for testing.
BMP
Bone morphogenic protein.
Bone
A hard calciferous material that composes the structural skeleton, provides also a framework to which muscles, ligament and tendons attach.
Bone Derivative
A substance extracted from born.
Bone Graft Substitute
A material used instead of bone graft, for the purpose of increasing bone formation.
Bone Graft
Bone that is taken from one area of the individual and placed in another area of the individual.
Bone Harvesting
The removal of bone from one site in the body to another.
Bone Plate
Usually made from metal or titanium, used in conjunction with bone screws for the fixation of bone.
Bone Screws
Screws used to immobilize, for bone fixation or plate fixation.
Bovine Bone Graft
Is a bone graft from bovines or cows.
Brace
Used to aid in support or immobilization of the back.
Cancellous Bone
The honeycomb like structure of the middle region of long bones.
Carotid Artery
Is a large vessel found on either side of the neck that branches into the external and internal carotid arteries. The carotid supplies the a large amount of blood to the brain.
Cartilage
The heard thin layer of tissue that covers the end of bones. It encourages movement by reducing friction at the joint.
Cauda Equina
Is a bundle of nerve roots begin at the finish of the spinal cord proper that supply the lower limbs.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Is multiple nerve root irritation and compression causing loss of bladder and bowel function.
Centrum
Is the body of the vertebrae.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
A clear fluid that baths the brain and spinal cord and acts as a shock absorber.
Cervical
Related to the region of the neck.
Cervical Collar
A supportive band worn round the neck following injury or surgery to the cervical region.
Cervical Plexus
A number of nerves that supply the neck muscles.
Cervical Decompression
Where the cervical nerve roots are freed or decompressed.
Cervical Fusion
Where a determinate number of cervical vertebrae are fixated using bone screws, cages and bone plates.
Coagulation
Process of blood clotting.
Cobult – Chrome
Otherwise known as cobult-chromium-molybdenum. This is a mixture of metals used in many surgical implants.
Coccyx
The coccyx is a fusion of the last 4 vertebrae of the spinal column into 1 small bony structure.
Collagen
Is a protein that contributes to the make up of living tissue such as skin, tendons, cartilage and bone.
Compensatory Curve
A curve above or below a primary scoliosis curve. This type of curve helps the body to remain stable.
Compression
To squeeze together or to make something smaller. An example is nerve root compression where the nerve roots are squashed and irritated causing pain.
Computer Tomography (CT)
A scanning process whereby a three dimensional image of soft tissue or bone is created.
Congenital Scoliosis
Scoliosis that is caused by genetic disposition to a vertebral alignment abnormality.
Contrast Medium
Usually a radio opaque fluid, used to define a structure during a radiologic examination or procedure.
Cortical Bone
The hard outer layer of the bone.
Cytology
Is the study of cells.
Decompression
Is an operation to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Gradual or rapid loss of the structural and functional integrity of the intervertebral disease.
Degenerative Stenosis
Gradual hypertrophy of bone or cartilage leading to a narrowing of vertebral margins, facet joints or vertebral canal.
Demineralized Bone
Bone that has been depleted of minerals for example osteoporotic bone having lost calcium.
Dermatome
Refers to the distribution of sensory nerves near the skin that are responsible for pain, pins and needles or numbness. In relation to the spine the dermatome corresponds to the effected vertebral level.
Disc
A disk-shaped piece of specialized tissue that separates the bones of the spinal column.
Discitis
Is a non bacterial inflammation of an intervertebral disc.
Discogram
A radiographic representation of the intervertebral disc by injecting dye into the nucleus pulposus.
Distal
Is situated away from the midline of the body.
Dysesthesia
A condition in which an unpleasant sensation is produced by ordinary touch, temperature or movement.
Dysplastic
Congenital abnormality.
Edema
A collection of fluid (swelling) usually extra cellular.
Electroencephal.opgrahy (EEG)
Is the study of the electric activity in the brain.
Endogenous
Derived from ones own body.
Epidural
Is a space directly outside the dura mata. It is referred to as extra dural.
Esophasus
The long tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach.
Excision
Is the removal of tissue - to excise.
Exogenous
Originating outside the body.
Extrusion
Displaced disc material that has herniated out to the spinal canal but remains connected to the central disc.
Facet
There is a superior and inferior facet for each vertebrae. They are flat surfaces that make up a joint when placed next to the vertebrae above and below.
Facet Arthropathy
Degenerative changes to the facet joints.
Facectomy
Excision of an articular facet.
Fibrosis
The replacement of normal tissue with hardened scar tissue.
Flattening of the Normal Lumbar Curve
Where the normal lumbar curve is abnormally shallow.
Flexion
To flex or bend forward.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Is an American agency that has regulatory authority over management and distribution of drugs, medical devices and food.
Foramen
A natural opening in the bone allowing for spinal nerve roots to pass from the spinal cord between the vertebrae.
Foraminotomy
Is a surgical opening or widening of the foramen.
Fracture
Is the disruption of the normal continuity of bone.
Functional Scoliosis
Structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis).
Fusion
Union or healing of bone. Also fixation or stabilization of bone ie spinal fusion.
Graft
Unattached tissue or bone for transplantation.
Hemangioma
A benign tumour consisting of a mass of blood cells.
Hematoma
A collection of blood forming a clot.
Hematomyelia
An effusion of blood (hematoma) into the spinal cord.
Hematorrhachis
Spinal apoplexy or haemorrhage into the vertebral canal.
Hemi
One sided.
Hemi Atrophy
Wasting of half an organ or body.
Hemi Laminectomy
The excision of only one side of the lamina relative to the spinous process.
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body.
Haemorrhage
Bleeding due to the escape of blood from the blood vessels.
Hereditary
The passing on of traits to the offspring through genetic information.
Herniation Intervertebral Disc (HID)
Outpouching of disc material into the vertebral canal.
Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus (HNP)
Extrusion of the inner nucleus pulposus through a defect in the outer layer called the annulus fibrosis.
Herniation
Is a protrusion.
Heterotopic Bone Formation
Bone growth in an abnormal location.
Hydroxyapatite (HA)
The lattice like structure of bone composed of calcium and phosphorous crystals which deposit on collagen to provide a rigid structure of bone. Also used in bone graft substitute.
Hyoid Bone
Small bone lateral to the trachea, located at the level of the 3rd cervical vertebrae.
Hyper
Above normal, excessive.
Hyperesthesia
Excessive sensitivity to touch, or other stimuli.
Hyperextension
Extension of a limb or back beyond it’s normal limits (bending back).
Hyperflexion
Flexion of a limb or the back beyond it’s normal limits (bending forward).
Hyperthermia
Increase in body temperature beyond normal limits.
Hyperlordosis
Increase in the normal anterior curve of the cervical and lumbar spine.
Hypothermia
Decrease in body temperature beyond normal limits.
Idiopathic
Is of unknown origin.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of unknown origin .
Iliac Crest
The large prominent part of the pelvic bone from which bone graft is often taken for fusion
Immobilization of the Back
Limitation or fixation of the back or part there of, usually to promote healing.
Infantile Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature beginning before the age of 3 years.
Instrumentation
The use of instruments such as metal screws and rods during a surgical procedure.
Interbody
Between the vertebral bodies of 2 adjacent vertebrae.
Interspinous Ligament
Ligament between each of the spinous processes.
Interspinous Pseudarthrosis
Formation of false joints between 2 spinous processes.
Intervertebral Discs
See disc.
Intervertebral Disc Narrowing
The narrowing of space between 2 vertebral bodies.
Invivo
Within a living body.
Inferior
Situated below or directed downwards.
Informed Consent
Documentation that states the patient has received sufficient information to have surgery, legal document.
Ischemia
Inadequate circulation of blood to the brain.
Isthmic
A lesion in the pars interarticularis.
Joint
The junction of 2 or more bones that permits varying degrees of movement between the bones.
Juvenile Rheumatiod Arthritis
Generalized inflammatory joint disease in children.
Juvenile Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature beginning between the age of 3 and 10 years.
Kinetic
Meaning motion or movement.
Kyphosis
An abnormal increase in the normal kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine. Hump back curvature or any forward bending area or deformity of the spine.
Lamina
A flattened part of the vertebral arch that covers the spinal cord and nerves.
Laminectomy
Excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae.
Lateral
To the side away from the midline.
Ligament
A band of fibrous, flexible connective tissue that is attached near the ends of a bone. It provides stability and limits some joint motion.
Ligamentum Flavum
A band of yellow elastic tissue that runs between the laminae of the 1st cervical vertebrae to the sacrum serving to close the spaces between the vertebral arches and giving stability to the vertebral column.
Lipoma
A benign fatty tumour.
Lordoscoliosis
Abnormal lateral curve associated with a backward spinal curve.
Lordosis
A normal forward curve in the neck and lower back.
Lumbago
Is a non medical term for lower lumbar back pain.
Lumbar
The lumbar spine is situated between the thoracic spine and the sacrum.
Lumbar Curve
Is a lordotic curve from 1st and 5th vertebrae.
Lumbar Kyphosis
Is the reverse of the normal curve of the lower back.
Luxation
Dislocation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A diagnostic test that produces a cross section of the body – defining structures within the brain and the spine.
Malignant
Cancerous, resistant to treatment.
Marginal Osteophytes
Excessive bone that forms at the margin of the vertebral body- Spondylosis.
Medial
Towards the middle or midline of the body.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Surgery that is conducted through a small incision.
Myelalgia
Pain from the spinal cord.
Myelapoplexy
Loss of nerve strength caused by a disorder of the spinal cord.
Myelatelia
Imperfect development of the spinal cord.
Mylogram
An X-ray of the spinal canal following an injection of a contrast into the CSF.
Nerve
A whitish cord like structure composed of one or more bundles of myelinated or non myelinated fibres.
Nerve Root
The proximal end of the nerve close to the spinal cord.
Neural Arch
Bony arch that surrounds the spinal cord.
Neuralgia
Pain extending down one or more nerves.
Neurectomy
Excision of part of a nerve.
Neuritis
Inflammation of a nerve.
Neurolysis
Excision of scar tissue from a nerve or nerve root.
Neuroma
A tumour largely made up of nerve fibres.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis
Scoliosis is caused from a muscle disorder.
Neuropathic Pain
Caused by damage to the nerve tissue that is felt as burning or stabbing.
Neuropathy
A functional disturbance to the peripheral nervous system.
Neurostimulation
Surgical placement of a wired device that is designed to block pain signals to the brain. When stregically placed either at the sight of the effected nerve or near the spinal cord the pain is transformed to a tingling sensation.
Neuro Surgery
A surgical speciality that is involved with the treatment of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve disorders.
Non Union
Failure of a fracture to heal or to obtain bony fusion following arthrodesis.
Nucleus Pulposus
The gelatinous tissue in the centre of an intervertebral disc.
Occiput
The base of the skull.
Olisthy
Slipping of bone or bones from the normal anatomical position.
Orthopaedic
Is the medical speciality that involves the preservation, and restoration of the musculoskeletal system that includes the treatment of spinal disorders and peripheral nerve injury.
Osteoinductive
A material with the ability to induce bony growth.
Ossification
The process of forming bone in the body.
Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of the bone due to an infective process.
Osteophyte
A bony overgrowth.
Osteoporosis
A disorder in which the bone looses it’s density and becomes “soft”.
Pain
An unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It is felt as pain due to nerve fibres that travel from the sight of dysfunction to the brain.
Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower extremities.
Paravertebral Muscle Spasm
Spasm of the muscles either side of the spinous process that can cause intense pain.
Pars Interarticulars
The superior and inferior facets are joined to each others by the “pars”.
Pathology
The study of disease.
Pedicle
The strongest part of the neural arch that joins the lamina to the vertebral body.
Physiotherapy
Exercising specific parts of the body to relearning movement, regain range of movement or rehabilitate part of the body.
Piriformis Syndrome
Is a diagnosis based on pain in the buttock leading down the back of the thigh otherwise known as sciatica.
Platysma
Is the thin outermost muscle in the anterior neck.
Plexus
A network of inter joining nerves, blood vessels or lymphatic vessels.
Posterior
Towards the back of the body or the back of a structure with in the body.
Posterior Fusion
Is used to describe a fusion in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions that has been approached from the back.
Prosthesis
A term used to describe surgical implants used in the body.
Proximal
Nearest the centre or midline of the body.
Pseudoarthrosis
A form of non union where the fusion has formed a false joint.
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs.
Rachialgia
Pain in the vertebral column.
Rachicentisis
Lumbar puncture for the examination of the spinal fluid.
Rachiocampsis
Curvature of the spine.
Rachiopathy
Any disease of the spine.
Rachioscoliosis
Lateral curvature of the spine.
Radiculopathy
Disease of the nerve roots near the spinal cord as a result of direct pressure form a disc, or inflammation of the nerve root due to disc or spinal joint disease.
Radiologist
Is a medical doctor with specialized training in the interperation of X-rays, MRI and CT’s.
Recombinant Human Protein
Proteins developed by isolating a human protein and using recombinant DNA technology to genetically engineer proteins that act like natural proteins.
Referred Pain
Is pain that is felt far from it’s origin for example, leg pain that originates from the lower back or shoulder tip pain from gas that is trapped under the diaphragm.
Reflex
An involuntary reaction in response to stimuli.
Retrolisthesis
Posterior displacement of vertebrae one on top of the other.
Rhizolysis
Freeing of the vertebral nerve root.
Sacral
The sacrum is the lowest five fused vertebral segments of the spinal column.
Sagittal
Means longitudinal.
Sciatica
Is a lay term that describes pain that travels from the buttock down the posterior thigh following the sciatic nerve.
Scoliosis
A lateral curvature of the spine.
Spinal Canal
The bony canal made up of the neural arch one on top of the other that encases the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord
Longitudinal cord of nerves that ends at the level of L1.
Spinal Fusion
A surgical method for stabilizing and strengthening the spinal column.
Spinal Stenosis
Denotes the narrowing of the spinal canal leading to nerve root compression .
Spine
The flexible column of 33 bones that are called vertebrae.
Spinous Process
Is the part of the neural arch that protrudes posteriorly and can be felt under the skin.
Spondylarthritis
Arthritis of the spine.
Spondylitis
Inflammation of the vertebrae.
Spondylolisthesis
Varying degrees posterior or inferior vertebral displacement. This can be as a result of degeneration, genetics or trauma.
Spondylolysis
A defect in the neural arch between the superior and inferior facets. This does not necessarily indicate vertebral displacement.
Spondylopathy
Any vertebral disorder.
Spondylosis
Degenerative bony replacement of ligament around the disc space. This can lead to a decrease in mobility and eventual fusion.
Stenosis
Reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal or lateral foramen, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Tendon
Made up primarily of collagen, is a fibrous band of tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Tension
An act of stretching or pulling tight.
Thoracic
The region of the spine at the level of the chest.
Thrombus
A blood clot that is attached to the wall of an artery.
Tissue
A collection of similar type of cells that make up a structure.
Titanium
A metallic element that is used in surgical implants.
Toxicology
Is the study of the toxic or harmful effects of substances on the body.
Traction
A pulling force on a limb or spinal column in a distal direction.
Transitional Vertebrae
A vertebrae that has elements of two types of vertebrae. For example the fifth lumbar vertebrae which has partial sacral components.
Transverse
Crosswise, lying across the long axis of the body or body part.
Transverse Process
A bony process that extends out from the mid portion of the neural arch, giving rise to the arms of the cross.
Ultra Sound
The use of high frequency sound waves to create visuals of the internal body structures.
Uncovertebral
Pertaining to the uncinate processes of the vertebrae.
Uni
One side as in unilateral.
Union
The coming together of tissue separated by injury or the knitting together of bone in a fusion.
Ureter
16 to 18 inch tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder.
Vagus Nerve
Is the 10th cranial nerve responsible for both sensory and motor function. Situated in the neck along side the carotid artery.
Vascular
Related to or containing blood vessels.
Vasoconstriction
A decrease in the diameter of blood vessels.
Vasodilatation
An increase in the diameter of the blood vessels.
Vasospasm
Spasm of the blood vessel causing vasoconstriction.
Vertebra
Is one of 33 bones that make up the spinal column that protects the spinal cord and gives the body’s trunk stability.
Vertebral Body
This is the main rectangular portion of the vertebra.
Whiplash
A common term used to describe hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck.
Wire
A metal thread available in various diameters to aid in fixation of fractures and fusion surgery.
Xenograft
A graft derived from one species for the use in another species.
X-Ray
Ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from an evacuated tube towards a target anode. This produces clear images of bone inside the body.
Xylocaine
A type of local anaesthetic also known as lidocaine.
Z Plasty
The repair of a skin defect using two triangular flaps.