List of Glossary Related to Matters Concerning the Spine
BACK PAIN - This term is not specific, thus is often utilized as reference for pain that occurs underneath the cervical spine.
CARTILAGE - The end of the bone at the joint resides the cartilage which is a tissue that is white glossy with a hard yet thin layer. This tissue is responsible for the motion of the body to occur without requiring a large degree of friction.
CERVICAL - Relates to the neck.
CHRONIC - Occurring regularly or for a long period of time.
COCCYX - At the end of the spinal column, resides a small bone which develops from the joining of four vertebrae. Right beneath the sacrum, resides a few segments of bone and these are called the tailbone.
DISC - Cushion of elastic tissue situated right between the vertebrae of the spinal column. These act as shock absorbers to protect the spine from impact. At times, they can even bulge beyond the vertebral body resulting in the compression of the nerve root closest to them, thus causing severe pain. Slipped disc, ruptured disc and herniated disc are terms that tend to get utilized in an interchangeable manner, but the fact of the matter is they are some little differences between each term.
HERNIATION - Formation of a protrusion.
JOINT - The articulation or junction of more than a single bone that allows diverse levels of motion between the bones.
LIGAMENT – Situated in close proximity to a joint is the end of a bone which is linked with a band of very flexible connective tissue. That tissue is ligament. It is fibrous and is responsible for connecting the bones together so that a joint is properly stabilized. In addition, the ligament helps in hindering or reducing certain joint motion.
LUMBAGO - This is not a medical term and it basically denotes pain within the lumbar area. Basically, it means back pain.
LUMBAR – This is basically the lower section of the spine and is made up of a total of five vertebrae. The lumbar can be found right in the middle of sacrum and the thoracic area. The five vertebrae are the largest spinal segments and they are capable of moving.
ORTHOPAEDICS (also ORTHOPEDICS) – It is a medical specialty responsible for conserving as well as repairing function of the musculoskeletal system. This specialty provides the proper treatment for various musculoskeletal system disorders including spinal ailments and peripheral nerve lesions.
OSTEOARTHRITIS – A form of arthritis that involves the deterioration of cartilage. A person affected by this ailment ends up with cartilage that’s frayed and thinned, with bone and outgrowths of marginal osteophytes. Basically, the cartilage has lost its solidness. This ailment cannot be averted to some extent, though delaying its formation is definitely possible with the aid of regular and proper exercises.
OSTEOPOROSIS – This ailment drastically reduced the density of bone and also makes it unusually brittle. What causes this terrible disorder is loss of bone mineral along with a number of different diseases and abnormalities.
SACRAL – The lower spine with fiver segments merged. The segments are situated right beneath the end of the spinal column linking directly to the pelvis.
SACRUM – It is comprised of five vertebrae in total, all of which have merged thus forming one large bone mass. The sacroiliac joints are linked through by the pelvis as well as sacrum. The coccygeal area is located right at the bottom of the spine and comprises of four vertebrae in total. Its structure is identical to the sacrum and that is all four vertebrae are merged together, therefore causing the formation of the coccyx or tailbone.
SCAPULA - A big, triangular, flat bone lying over the back of the ribs on either side.
SPRAIN – Ligament injury that happens due to the joint being carried through a range of motion beyond its capability, although no occurrence of fracture or dislocation.
STRAIN - To injure because of overuse or incorrect use.
TENDON – A fibrous band of tissue made primarily of collagen, and is responsible for joining muscle to bone.