anterior, posterior, dorsal, spinal disc, vertebra, spinal cord, nervs

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AbductionAbduction describes the movement of the limbs away from the body, for example, swinging a leg away from the body. Opposite: Adduction
AdductionAdduction describes the movement of the limbs towards the body, for example, drawing a leg that has been swung out back towards the body. Opposite: Abduction
AnteriorFront, towards the front of the body. Opposite: Posterior
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)Describes the route to access the disc space and the corresponding spacer (cage) that is inserted by this route. An ACDF implant (or ACDF cage) is inserted into the cervical spine through an anterior approach – that is, from the front of the body through the neck.
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)Describes the route to access the disc space and the corresponding spacer (cage) that is inserted by this route. An ALIF implant (or ALIF cage) is inserted into the spine through an anterior approach – that is, from the front of the body through the abdomen.
Anulus fibrosusThe anulus fibrosus is a ring of fibrous tissue that encloses the nucleus pulposus, creating the stable structure of the disc.
AP viewIn an anteroposterior (AP) X-ray image, the patient is viewed from the front to the back. This means that the body in the image is seen from the front.
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BrachialgiaBrachialgia refers to pain radiating into the arm that is caused by irritation of the nerve roots in the spinal canal of the cervical spine. This can be caused by disc herniation, trauma or other damage to a nerve root, for example.
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Cauda equinaAt the end of the spinal cord, at about the level of the first to second lumbar vertebrae (L1–L2), the thick bundle of spinal nerves fans out into individual nerve roots. These nerve roots are responsible for the lower limbs and the pelvis and first run along the spinal canal until they exit between the individual vertebral bodies through the intervertebral foramen. The bundle of individual nerve fibres resembles a horse’s tail, which led to the name cauda equina (Latin for horse’s tail).
CervicalConcerning the cervical spine (upper back).
Coronary planeThe coronary or frontal plane runs parallel to the forehead and describes the front of the body. The longitudinal and transverse axes run in this plane.
CorpectomyIn a corpectomy the vertebral body is surgically removed and then a vertebral body replacement implant is inserted to maintain the stability.
CranialDirectional term: Upwards, towards the head. Opposite: Caudal
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Disc prolapsA prolapsed or herniated disc occurs when the inner gel-like nucleus pulposus is forced out through a tear in the anulus fibrosis.
Disc protrusionDisc protrusion describes a bulging disc. The gel-like nucleus pulposus is still contained within the fibrous ring, unlike disc herniation.
DistalDirectional term: Further away from a reference point, e.g., on the arm, the hand is distal to the shoulder. Opposite: Proximal
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ExtensionExtension describes extending a part of the body, e.g., the trunk when straightening up, or the limbs relative to the body, e.g., stretching out an arm. Opposite: Flexion
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FacetectomyIn a facetectomy the facet joints are surgically removed. This expands the spinal canal and PLIF or TLIF implants can be inserted.
FlavectomyIn a flavectomy the ligamentum flavum (yellow ligament) is removed. The yellow ligaments are spinal ligaments that connect two neighboring vertebral arches within the spinal canal. With forward movements they are stretched and support the back muscles when straightening up again thanks to their ability to spring back into shape. These ligaments can thicken and press on the spinal cord. If this happens, this is called spinal canal stenosis. It may be helpful to relieve the spinal cord by carrying out a flavectomy.
FlexionFlexion describes bending together two parts of the body, e.g., bending the trunk over, or the limbs relative to the body, e.g., bending an arm. Opposite: Extension
ForaminotomyIn a foraminotomy the intervertebral foramen is surgically expanded. This expansion enables a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure to be carried out.
Frontal planeThe frontal or coronal plane runs parallel to the forehead and describes the front of the body. The longitudinal and transverse axes run in this plane.
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HemilaminectomyIn a hemilaminectomy the part of the vertebral arch between the spinous process and the small vertebral joints is removed on one side of the spine together with the ligamentum flavum to expose the spinal canal.
Horizontal planeThe horizontal or transverse plane describes all cross-sections of the body. The transverse and sagittal axes run in this plane.
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Iliac boneThe iliac bone describes the wing-shaped part of the bony pelvis and is connected to the sacral bone on the left and right by the sacroiliac joints.
InferiorDirectional term: Below a particular reference point. Opposite: Superior
Intervertebral foraminaThe intervertebral foramina are paired openings in the spinal canal that are formed by two neighboring vertebrae. The spinal nerves exit through these openings.
IschialgiaIschialgia is a collective term for pain that is caused by nerve root irritation in the lumbar spine but is felt as pain in the legs. Ischialgia often occurs together with pain in the lumbar spine or lower back (lumbalgia or lumbago). Because the two symptoms are often difficult to differentiate from one another, they are then referred to as lumboischialgia.
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KyphosisKyphosis describes a convex curve in the spine relative to the front which occurs, for example, in the thoracic spine or the sacrum.
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LaminectomyIn a laminectomy the entire vertebral arch including the spinous process is removed to expose or relieve the spinal cord. This enables two PLIF implants to be inserted during surgery.
LaminoplastyIn a laminectomy the entire vertebral arch including the spinous process is removed to expose or relieve the spinal cord. This enables two PLIF implants to be inserted during surgery.
LaminotomyIn a laminotomy only a part of the vertebral arch is surgically removed, unlike a laminectomy. Only part of lamina between the articular process and the spinous process is removed and the joints remain intact. A laminotomy often extends across both sides so that PLIF implants can be inserted.
LateralDirectional term: Sideways, away from the middle of the body. Opposite: Medial
Longitudinal axisThe longitudinal or vertical axis runs from cranial (top) to caudal (bottom) or the reverse.
LordosisLordosis describes a concave curve in the spine inwards which occurs, for example, in the cervical or lumbar spine.
LumbarAffecting the lumbar spine (lower back).
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MedialDirectional term: Towards the middle of the body. Opposite: Lateral
Medial planeThe medial plane divides the body into two equal right and left halves. The sagittal and longitudinal axes run in this plane.
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Nucleus pulposusThe medial plane divides the body into two equal right and left halves. The sagittal and longitudinal axes run in this plane.
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PorximalDirectional term: Positioned closer to a reference point in the middle of the body, e.g., the shoulder is proximal to the hand. Opposite: Distal
PosteriorDirectional term: Towards the back surface of the body. Opposite: Anterior
PosteriorDirectional term: Backwards, towards the back of the body. Opposite: Anterior
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)Describes the route to access the disc space and the corresponding spacer (cage) that is inserted by this route. A PLIF implant (or PLIF cage) is inserted into the lumbar spine through a posterior approach – that is, strictly from the back of the body.
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RotationRotation describes a circular movement of a limb around its longitudinal axis as well as the rotation of the spine around its longitudinal axis, e.g., turning the upper body to the left or right.
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Sacral boneThe sacral bone is made of five spinal bones that are fused together and forms the back part of the bony pelvis. The lumbar spine extends from the sacral bone upwards.
Sacroiliac jointThe sacroiliac joint is formed by the iliac bone and the sacral bone and is part of the connection between the upper and lower halves of the body.
Sagittal axisThe sagittal axis runs from anterior (front) to posterior (back) or the reverse.
Sagittal planeThe sagittal plane divides the body into right and left. The sagittal and longitudinal axes run in this plane.
Spinal canalThe vertebral bodies and vertebral arches form the vertebral foramina. All the vertebral foramina stacked on top of one another form the spinal canal. The spinal canal encloses the spinal cord and protects it.
Spinous processEach vertebrae has a bony projection that faces backwards – that is, in the posterior direction – that is called the spinous process. It is the point of attachment for ligaments and muscles.
SpondylolisthesisSpondylolisthesis describes a slipped vertebral body in which a vertebra slips forwards towards the abdominal wall as a result of instability.
SuperiorDirectional term: Above a particular reference point. Opposite: Inferior
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ThoracicConcerning the thoracic spine (middle back).
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)Describes the route to access the disc space and the corresponding spacer (cage) that is inserted by this route. A TLIF implant (or TLIF cage) is inserted into the lumbar spine through a transforaminal approach – that is, from the back side of the body through the intervertebral foramen along the side of the spinal cord.
Transverse axisThe transverse axis runs from left to right.
Transverse planeThe transverse or horizontal plane describes all cross-sections of the body. The transverse and sagittal axes run in this plane.
Transverse processEach vertebrae has two outside – that is, lateral – paired bony projections. They are called transverse processes and are the points of attachment for ligaments and muscles. In the thoracic spine they are also connected to a rib through small joints.
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Vertebral bodyDirectional term: Downwards, towards the feet. Opposite: Cranial
Vertebral foramenThe vertebral bodies and vertebral arches form the vertebral foramina. All the vertebral foramina stacked on top of one another form the spinal canal. The spinal canal encloses the spinal cord and protects it.
Vertical axisThe vertical or longitudinal axis runs from cranial (top) to caudal (bottom) or the reverse.

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