Portland Chiropractor Utilizing Chiropractic, Nutrition, Graston, Massage, Hypnotherapy and More
Portland, Oregon Chiropractic and Nutrition Clinic Info:
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819 SE Morrison St. Suite 215 Portland, OR, 97214 (Click to Map)
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(503) 866-9739
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(503) 716-4575
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i...@optfunction.com
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M/W/F By appointment only
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Glossary of Terms
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ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - Stiffening or fixation of the vertebra; an inflammatory joint disease mainly affecting the spine hips, and pelvis.
ANNULUS FIBROSIS - The outer, fibrous, ring-like portion of an intervertebral disc. ANTERIOR – The front of the body or situated nearer the front of the body.
ANTERIOR DISPLACEMENT - Forward movement of the superior segment on the inferior one.
ANTERIOR SPURRING - Ligament turning to bone on anterior side of vertebral body
ARTHRALGIA – joint pain.
ARTICULATION – when two bones are joined together with connective tissue to create a functional unit. AKA a joint.
ATLANTO-AXIAL - Pertaining to the atlas and the axis; denoting the joint between the first two cervical vertebrae.
ATLANTO-OCCIPITAL - Relating to the atlas and the occipital bone.
ATLAS - First cervical vertebrae, articulating with the occipital bone and rotating around the dens of the axis.
ATROPHY - A wasting of the tissues of a body part.
AVASCULAR - Non-vascular, not provided with blood vessels.
AXIS - The vertebral column. The second cervical vertebra, about which the first cervical vertebra rotates, allowing head movement.
AXON - The part of a nerve cell that usually sends signals to other nerves or structures.
BACK PAIN - nonspecific term used to describe pain below the cervical spine.
BENIGN – Literally ‘kind’. In a healthcare setting, it is usually used to describe a tumor or growth that does not metastasize.
BONE - The hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of minerals (Like calcium) and collagen. Individual bones may be classed as long, short, or flat.
BONE GRAFT - Bone which is harvested from one location in an individual and placed in another individual (allograft bone) or in a different location in the same individual (autogenous bone).
BROWN-SEQUARD'S SYNDROME - Loss of sensation of touch, position sense, and movement on the side of a spinal cord lesion, with loss of pain sensation on the other side. Caused by a lesion limited to one side of spinal cord.
CARCINOMA - Cancer, a malignant growth of epithelial or gland cells.
CAROTID ARTERY - Large artery on either side of the neck which supplies blood to most of the cerebral hemisphere. Main artery to the head that divides into external and internal carotid arteries.
CARPAL TUNNEL - Space under a ligament in wrist through which the median nerve enters the palm of the hand.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - A condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, characterized especially by discomfort and disturbances of sensation in the hand.
CARTILAGE - The hard, thin layer of white glossy tissue that covers the end of bone at a joint. This tissue allows motion to take place with a minimum amount of friction.
CAUDA EQUINA - The bundle of spinal nerve roots arising from the end of the spinal cord and filling the lower part of the spinal canal (from approximately the thoraco-lumbar junction down).
CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME - Sufficient pressure on the nerves in the low back to produce multiple nerve root irritation and commonly loss of bowel and bladder control.
CENTRAL CORD SYNDROME - Most common of the incomplete traumatic spinal cord syndromes characterized by motor impairment that is proportionately greater in the upper limbs than in the lower, with bladder dysfunction and a variable degree of sensory loss below the level of the cord lesion.
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF) - Water-like fluid produced in the brain that circulates and protects the brain and spinal cord, known as CSF. CERVICAL - Of or relating to the neck.
CERVICAL PLEXUS - Plexus of nerves that supply the neck muscles with branches named by muscles supplied.
CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION - Spinal fusion involving the seven cervical segments. This may include the base of the skull, the occiput, and the first thoracic spine.
COCCYALGIA - Pain in the coccyx region; AKA coccygodynia, coccyodynia, coccydynia.
COCCYGEAL - Remaining three or four, somewhat fixed, fused segments at the end of the spine (tailbone) that articulate with sacrum above.
COCCYX - The small bone at the end of the spinal column in man, formed by the fusion of four rudimentary vertebrae. The three, and sometimes four, segments of bone just below the sacrum; referred to as the tailbone.
COLLAGEN - A fibrous protein which is a major constituent of connective tissue. Such as skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bones.
COMPRESSION - A squeezing together; the exertion of pressure on a body in such a way as to tend to increase its density; the decrease in a dimension of a body under the action of two external forces directed toward one another in the same straight line.
COMPRESSION of NERVE ROOT - Mechanical process resulting from a tumor, fracture, or herniated disc; the resulting irritation is called radiculitis if there is actual inflammation around the nerve. Pain from this type of disorder is called radicular pain.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN - A diagnostic imaging technique in which a computer reads x-rays to create a three-dimensional map of soft tissue or bone.
CONCUSSION - A disruption, usually temporary, of neurological function resulting from a blow or violent shaking.
CONGENITAL – Usually refers to a condition or state that arises from (in part or entirely) your genetic make up. (meaning, you can thank your ancestors for it)
CONGENITAL SCOLIOSIS - Scoliosis due to bony abnormalities present at birth involving either failure of formation of a vertebra or separation of adjacent vertebrae.
CONGENITAL STENOSIS - Individuals with congenital variance in vertebral structure leading to a narrow canal.
CONTUSION - A bruise; an area in which blood that has leaked out of blood vessels is mixed with brain tissue.
COSTO - Combining form denoting relation to ribs.
COSTOCHONDRAL JUNCTION - junction of the rib into cartilage in the anterior chest. NOTE: Most of the ribs have attachments to the cartilage rather than a direct junction with the breast bone (sternum).
COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT - Junction of the rib with the thoracic spine.
CT SCAN - (computed tomography scan): A diagnostic imaging technique in which a computer reads x-rays to create a three-dimensional map of soft tissue or bone.
DECOMPRESSION - In relation to the spine this procedure is carried out to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
DECOMPRESSIVE LAMINECTOMY - A decompression done by removing the lamina and spinous process.
DEGENERATIVE- The lesion results from inter-segmental instability of long duration.
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE- Gradual or rapid deterioration of the chemical composition and physical properties of the disc space.
DEGENERATIVE STENOSIS - Gradual hypertrophy of the vertebral body margin, facet joints, and ligamentum flavum leading to stenosis.
DERMATOME - Refers to the distribution of sensory nerves near the skin that are responsible for pain, tingling, and other sensations (or lack of).
DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY - Damage to the axons of many nerve cells that lie in different parts of the brain. DIPLOPIA - Double vision, due usually to weakness or paralysis of one or more of the extra-ocular muscles.
DISC - The intervertebral disc - cartilaginous cushion found between the vertebrae of the spinal column. It may bulge beyond the vertebral body and compress the nearby nerve root, causing pain. The terms "slipped disc", "ruptured disc" and "herniated disc" are often used interchangeably even though there are subtle differences.
DISC DEGENERATION - The loss of the structural and functional integrity of the disc.
DISC HERNIATION - See "HERNIATED INTERVERTEBRAL DISC".
DISC SPACE INFECTION - Infection in the space normally occupied by an intervertebral disc.
DISCECTOMY - Surgical removal of part or all of an intervertebral disc material placing pressure on neural elements.
DISCITIS – Non-bacterial inflammation of an intervertebral disc or disc space.
DISCOGRAM - The graphic record, usually radiographic, of discography.
DISCOGRAPHY - Radiographic demonstration of intervertebral disc by injection of contrast media into the nucleus.
DISLOCATION - Displacement of an organ or any part; specifically disturbance or disarrangement of the normal relation of the bones entering the formation of a joint.
DISTAL - Out away from the midline.
DORSAL COLUMN - The main, normal sensory tract to the brain.
DORSAL LATERAL COLUMN - The main tract of position and tone to the brain.
DURA MATER - Literally, hard mother (in Latin). The outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord.
EDEMA - An excessive accumulation of fluid generally outside of the cells of your body, in between tissues (which are made up of many cells performing similar functions). This is DIFFERENT than inflammation. Inflammation is a process that includes edema but a whole lot more.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG) - A method of recording the electrical currents generated in a muscle during its contraction.
EPIDURAL - Immediately outside the dura mater. Same as extra-dural.
EXCISION - Removal by cutting away material.
EXTRADURAL - On the outer side of the dura mater.
FACET - a flat, plate-like surface that acts as part of a joint; as seen in the vertebrae of the spine. Each vertebra has two superior and two inferior facets.
FACET ARTHROPATHY - a degenerative disease affecting the facet joint.
FACECTOMY - Excision of an articular facet of a vertebra.
FACET TROPISM - Asymmetrical orientation of the facets comparing right to left side.
FAILURE of SEGMENTATION - Failure of a portion or all of two or more adjoining vertebrae to separate into normal units. This is a congenital condition.
FASCIA - A flat band of tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia encloses muscles. Inflammation of the fascia is referred to as fasciitis.
"Fascia" is the Latin word for "band or bandage."
FEMUR- Your “thigh bone”.
FIBROSIS - The replacement of normal tissue with scar tissue.
FIBROMYOSITIS - Chronic inflammation of a muscle with an overgrowth, or hyperplasia, of the connective tissue.
FLATTENING of NORMAL LUMBAR CURVE - Condition in which the hollow of the low back becomes shallow or even straight. AKA Lordosis, hypolordosis, hypolordotic curve.
FLEXION - The act of flexing or bending; bending of a joint so as to bring the anterior parts together.
FORAMEN - A natural opening or passage in bone allowing for the egress of nerves or other structures.
FORAMINOTOMY - Surgical opening or enlargement of the bony opening traversed by a nerve root as it leaves the spinal canal. A procedure carried out alone or in conjunction with disc surgery.
FRACTURE- A disruption of the normal continuity of bone. AKA Break.
FRACTURE-DISLOCATION - Fracture of a bone that is also dislocated from its normal position in a joint.
FUNCTIONAL INSTABILITY – Instability that arises during movement usually related to de-conditioned or malcoordinated spinal stabilizing muscles.
FUNCTIONAL SCOLIOSIS - Any scoliosis that is caused by leg length or other functional disorder and not by a structural abnormality or congenital condition of the spine.
FUSION - Union or healing of bone. May also be used to describe a process in which two normally separate bones grow together, functionally making one bone
GLENOHUMERAL - Relating to the main shoulder joint. The articulation between the humerus (arm bone) and the glenoid fossa (a depression on your scapula).
GLIA (Also termed neuroglia) - The major support cells of the brain. These cells are involved in the nutrition and maintenance of the nerve cells.
GRAFT - any free (unattached) tissue or organ for transplantation.
HARRINGTON ROD - An instrumentation and fusion using a straight, stiff rod for distraction or compression; associated with a posterior spinal fusion in the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine for scoliosis or trauma.
HEADACHE - Pain in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve.
HEMIPELVIS – See Innominate.
HEMILAMINECTOMY - The excision of only one side of the lamina (right or left) relative to other spinous process.
HERNIATED INTERVERTBRAL DISC (HID)- Extrusion of part of the nucleus pulposus material through a defect in the annulus fibrosus. Out pouching of a disc.
HERNIATED NUCLEUS PULPOSUS (HNP) - Extrusion of the central portion of an intervertebral disc through the outer cartilaginous ring. The material can compress the spinal cord or nerves in or exiting the spinal canal.
HERNIATION - Formation of a protrusion.
HETEROTOPIC BONE FORMATION - The occurrence of bone growth in an abnormal location.
HIP – AKA coxofemoral joint. The joint between your femur and your innominate or hemipelvis.
HUMERUS - The bone of the arm, articulating with the scapula above and the radius and ulna below.
HYOID BONE - Small, vertically oriented bones lateral to trachea, located at the level of C-3 (your third cervical vertebra).
HYPER- Excessive, above normal.
HYPEREXTENSION - Extension of a limb or part beyond the normal limit.
HYPERFLEXION - Flexion of a limb or part beyond the normal limit.
HYPERLORDOSIS - Increase in the normal anterior concavity of the cervical or lumbar spine.
HYPERPLASIA - Overgrowth
IDIOPATHIC - No known cause.
IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS - Structural lateral curvature of an unknown cause.
ILIAC BONE – AKA ilium. A part of the pelvic bone that is above the hip joint, commonly used for bone grafts, at the belt line of the body.
ILIOPSOAS MUSCLE - Large muscles starting at L-1 (your first lumbar vertebra) and becoming wider as travels down the lower lumbar spine; it combines with the iliacus muscle before attaching to the lesser trochanter of the femur.
ILIUM – See Iliac Bone.
INFLAMMATION - A process by which certain cells of our body congregate around a site or injury (perceived or actual). Each cell type is specialized to protect and clean the tissue surrounding the incident. Inflammation is commonly used to mean edema. These two words are different in that edema is just the accumulation of fluids in and around cells, inflammation is a whole different process of which edema is usually a part.
INNOMINATE – the combination of your Ilium, Ischium and Pubic Bones.
INTERCOSTALS - The muscles between the ribs.
INTERSPINOUS LIGAMENT - Ligament between each of the spinous processes.
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC - See Disc.
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC NARROWING - Narrowing of the space between any two vertebral bodies.
INTRINSIC - Situated entirely within or pertaining exclusively to a part.
IN VITRO - Describing biological phenomena that are made to occur outside the living body traditionally in a test tube. In vitro is Latin for in glass.
INFORMED CONSENT - Consent of the patient who has received sufficient information to receive treatment, have surgery, or participate in a clinical study.
ISCHIUM – the bone that makes up the lower portion of your pelvis. Your “sitting bones” are part of your ischium.
ISOMETRIC - Of equal dimensions; in physiology, denoting the condition when the ends of a contracting muscle are held fixed so that contraction produces increased tension at a constant overall length.
ISOTONIC - Relating to isotonicity or isotonia. Having equal tension; denoting solutions possessing the same osmotic pressure; more specifically, limited to situations in which cells can neither swell nor shrink.
JOINT - The junction or articulation of two or more bones that permits varying degrees of motion between the bones.
JOINTS of LUSCHKA (uncovertebral joints) - Unique to the cervical spine, these joint-like structures are formed by the apposition of posterolateral portions of adjacent vertebral bodies; forms the anterior portion of the canal where nerves pass through.
JUVENILE SCOLIOSIS - Begins between the ages of 3 and 10 years of age.
KINETIC - Relating to motion or movement. KYPHOSCOLIOSIS - Lateral curvature of the spine associated with forward inclination of the spine.
KYPHOSIS - An abnormal increase in the normal kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine. Round shoulder deformity, humpback, dorsal kyphotic curvature; may refer to any forward-bending area or deformity of the spine.
LAMINA - The flattened or arched part of the vertebral arch, forming the roof of the spinal canal. The posterior part of the spinal ring that covers the spinal cord or nerves.
LAMINECTOMY - Excision of one or more lamina of the vertebrae. Removal of the lamina, the bony element covering the posterior portion of the spinal canal.
LAMINOPLASTY - The lamina are hinged laterally opened like a door, and secured in their new position with suture or bone to enlarge the spinal canal.
LAMINOTOMY - An opening made in a lamina. Formation of a hole in the lamina without disrupting the continuity of the entire lamina to approach the intervertebral disc or neural structures.
LATERAL - Situated out to the sides of the midline of the body.
LIGAMENT - A band of flexible, fibrous connective tissue that is attached at the end of a bone near a joint. The main function of a ligament is to attach bones to one another, to provide stability of a joint, and to prevent or limit some joint motion.
LIGAMENTOUS- Relating to or of the form or structure of a ligament.
LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM - A band of yellow elastic tissue that runs between the lamina from the axis to the sacrum; it assists in maintaining or regaining erect position and serves to close in the spaces between the arches.
LIPOMA - A benign fatty tumor, usually composed of mature fat cells.
LOCALIZATION - Limitation to a definite area. The reference of a sensation to its point of origin.
LONGISSIMUS COLLI - Long muscle immediately anterior to the cervical spine.
LORDOSIS - Curvature of the spine with the convexity forward. Not a disease state, but the normal anterior concavity of the neck or low back.
LUMBAGO - A non-medical term signifying pain in the lumbar region. Archaic term meaning back pain.
LUMBAR - The lower part of the spine between the thoracic region and the sacrum. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae. The five moveable spinal segments of the lower back and largest of the spinal segments.
LUMBAR CURVE – A lordotic curve with apex between the first and the fourth lumbar vertebrae.
LUMBARIZATION - Partial or complete formation of a free-moving first sacral segment so that it looks like a lumbar vertebra.
LUMBAR KYPHOSIS - Reverse of the normal curve of the low back.
LUMBAR LORDOSIS – Used to describe the normal backwards curve of the lumbar spine.
LUMBAR MICRODISCECTOMY - an operation on the lumbar spine performed using a surgical microscope and microsurgical techniques.
LUMBOSACRAL JOINT ANGLE - Angle between the inferior surface of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the top of the sacrum.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) - Diagnostic test that produces three-dimensional images of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology rather than x-rays.
MALIGNANT- resistant to treatment; occurring in severe form, and frequently fatal; tending to become worse.
MARGINAL OSTEOPHYTES - Excess bone formation at the margin of the vertebral body; spondylosis.
MARIE-STRÜMPELL DISEASE - Inflammation of the spine, occurring as a rheumatoid-type disease in children.
MASSAGE - A method of manipulation of the body by rubbing, pinching, kneading, tapping, etc.
MEDIAN NERVE - The nerve formed from the brachial plexus that supplies muscles in the anterior forearm and thumb, as well as, sensation of the hand. It may be compressed or trapped at the wrist in carpal tunnel syndrome.
MEDIAL - Situated closer to the midline of the body.
MENINGES - The three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (singular: meninx). The outside meninx is called the dura mater, and is the most resilient of the three. The center layer is the arachnoid membrane and the thin innermost layer is the pia mater. Inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) can occur due to bacterial infection.
MENINGITIS - Inflammation of the meninges.
METASTASIZE – Used to describe the process by which a tumor travels from it’s area of origin to another area in the body.
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Scanning technique for views of the brain or spinal cord. No radiation is involved, but rather pulsed magnetic waves are used to delineate the structures within the brain.
MINIMAL ACCESS DISCECTOMY - an operation performed on the upper spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY/DISCECTOMY - an operation performed on the lower spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. The term is derived from the words lumbar (low back), and discectomy (remove a portion of the intervertebral disc).
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY - Surgery requiring small incision(s), usually performed with endoscopic visualization.
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES- injuries affecting the muscles and bones.
MYALGIA - Muscular pain.
MYELALGIA - Pain in the spinal cord.
MYELAPOPLEXY - Loss of nerve strength caused by some disorder of the spinal cord.
MYELASTHENIA - Loss of nerve strength caused by some disorder of the spinal cord.
MYELATELIA - Imperfect development of the spinal cord.
MYELATROPHY - Atrophy (wasting away) of spinal cord because of lack of nutrition, causing it to diminish in size.
MYELIN - The fat-like substance which surrounds the axon of nerve fibers and forms an insulating material.
MYELOGRAM - An x-ray of the spinal canal following injection of a contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces.
MYELOGRAPHY - Radiography of the spinal cord and nerve roots after the injection of a contrast medium into the spinal subarachnoid space.
MYELOMALACIA - Softening of the spinal cord.
MYELOMENINGITIS - Inflammation of the spinal cord and meninges (spinal membranes).
MYELONEURITIS - Inflammation of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
MYELOPARALYSIS - Spinal paralysis.
MYELOPATHY - Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the spinal cord.
MYELOPLEGIA - Spinal paralysis.
MYELORADICULITIS - Inflammation of spinal cord and nerve roots.
MYELORADICULOPATHY - Disease of spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.
MYELORRHAGIA - Spinal hemorrhage.
MYELOSCELEROSIS - Hardening of the spinal cord.
MYELOTOMY - A procedure for severing tracts in the spinal cord.
MYOPATHY - Any disease of muscle.
MYOSITIS - Inflammation of the muscle.
NEOPLASM - Any new or abnormal growth, specifically a new growth of tissue in which the growth is uncontrolled.
NERVE - A whitish chord-like structure composed of one or more bundles of myelinated or unlmyelinated fibers, or more often mixtures of both coursing outside of the central nervous system (therefore outside of the spinal canal), together with connective tissue around individual fibers.
NERVE ROOT - The portion of a spinal nerve in close proximity to its origin from the spinal cord.
NEURALGIA - A paroxysmal pain extending along the course of one or more nerves.
NEURECTOMY - Excision of part of a nerve.
NEURITIS - Inflammation of a nerve; may also be used to denote non-inflammatory nerve lesions of the peripheral nervous system.
NEUROBLASTOMA - Tumor of sympathetic nervous system origin, found mostly in infants and children.
NEUROFIBROMA - A tumor of the peripheral nerves due to an abnormal collection of fibrous and insulating cells.
NEUROFIBROMATOSIS - A familial condition characterized by developmental changes in the nervous system, muscles and skin, marked by numerous tumors affecting these organ system.
NEUROPATHIC PAIN - Pain caused by damage to nerve tissue. It is often felt as a burning or stabbing pain. One example of neuropathic pain is a "pinched nerve."
NEUROPATHY - Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the peripheral nervous system.
NEUROSTIMULATION - Surgical placement of a medical device under the skin to send mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord. The electrical impulses travel through a lead (a special medical wire) that is also surgically placed. These electrical impulses block the signal of pain from reaching the brain. Peripheral nerve stimulation, a form of neurostimulation, works in a similar way. For this treatment, the lead is placed at the site of the specific nerve that is causing pain rather than near the spinal cord. Because neuro-stimulation works in the area where pain signals travel (the spinal cord or specific nerve), electrical impulses (which are felt as tingling) can be directed to cover the specific sites where a patient is feeling pain.
NEUROSTIMULATOR - A device for electrical excitation of the central or peripheral nervous system.
NEUROSURGERY - The surgical specialty involved in the treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
NOCICEPTIVE PAIN - Pain caused by an injury or disease outside the nervous system. It is often an on-going dull ache or pressure, rather than the sharper, electric-like pain more characteristic of neuropathic pain. One example of nociceptive pain is arthritis pain.
NON-UNION - Failure of the fragments of a fractured bone to heal or to obtain bony fusion.
NUCHAL LIGAMENT - Large posterior midline ligament in the neck from the base of the skull to the seventh cervical vertebra.
NUCLEUS PULPOSUS - The semi-gelatinous tissue in the center of an intervertebral disc. It is surrounded and contained by the annulus fibrosus which prevents this material from protruding outside the disc space.
NYSTAGMUS - Involuntary rapid movement of the eyes in the horizontal, vertical or rotary planes of motion.
OCCIPITAL NERVE - Nerve from the back of the neck that supplies motor function and sensation to the forehead; two parts- greater and lesser.
OCCIPUT - The back part of the head. The base of the skull.
ORTHOPAEDICS (also ORTHOPEDICS) - The medical specialty involved in the preservation and restoration of function of the musculoskeletal system that includes treatment of spinal disorders and peripheral nerve lesions.
ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON - A physician who treats the musculoskeletal system, extremities, and spine by operation or manipulation.
OSSIFICATION - The process of forming bone in the body.
OSTEOARTHRITIS - Arthritis characterized by erosion of articular cartilage, either primary or secondary to trauma or other conditions, which becomes soft, frayed, and thinned with eburnation of subchondral bone and outgrowths of marginal osteophytes.
OSTEOMYELITIS - Inflammation of bone due to infection, which may be localized or generalized.
OSTEOPHYTE - A bony outgrowth or protuberance.
OSTEOPOROSIS - A disorder in which bone is abnormally brittle, less dense, and is the result of a number of different diseases and abnormalities.
PAIN - An unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, and mediated by specific nerve fibers to the brain where its conscious appreciation may be modified by various factors.
PARASPINAL MUSCLES – muscles lying to either side of the spine.
PARAPLEGIA- Paralysis of two of the four limbs.
PARS INTERARTICULARS - The posterior continuation of the spinal arch from the pedicle; the superior and inferior facets are connected to each other by the pars interarticulars.
PATHOLOGIC - Generalized or localized bone disease is present.
PATHOLOGY - The study of disease states.
PEDICLE -The part of each side of the neural arch of a vertebra. It connects the lamina with the vertebral body. The first portion of the posterior spine arising from the vertebral body.
PERIOSTEUM - A fibrous membrane that covers the surface of bone except at the end of the bones where it is covered with cartilage as part of a joint. In children, periosteum is involved in forming new bone and molding the configuration of bone; and in the adult, the periosteum forms new bone secondary to injury or infection.
PERIPHERAL NERVE – AKA Nerve. Beginning just after the nerve root and traveling out into the body to supply nervous system information to muscles, bones and organs.
PHYSICAL THERAPY - The treatment consisting of exercising specific parts of the body such as the legs, arms, hands or neck, in an effort to strengthen, regain range of motion, relearn movement and/or rehabilitate the musculoskeletal system to improve function.
PHYSIOTHERAPY – See Physical Therapy.
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME - A clinical diagnosis based on complaints of pain and abnormal sensations in the buttocks region with extension into the hips and posterior thigh as would be seen in sciatica but not cause by irritation or compression at the nerve root level. The problem lies at the peripheral nerve level.
POSTERIOR - The back of the body or situated nearer the back of the body.
POSTERIOR CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION- Spinal fusion done from the back, using the lamina, facets, and spinous processes of the neck.
POSTERIOR LUMBAR SPINAL FUSION- Spinal fusion done from the back using the lamina, the facets, and spinous processes of the lower back.
POSTERIOR SPINAL FUSION- A fusion of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions primarily fusing the lamina and sometimes the facet joints, using iliac or other bone graft.
POSTEROLATERAL (P/L) - Behind and to one side, specifically to the outer side.
POSTURE - The position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole.
PROPRIOCEPTION - Sensation concerning movements of joints and position of the body in space.
PROTRUSION - Displaced nuclear material causes a discrete bulge in the annulus, but no material escapes through the annular fibers.
PROXIMAL - Nearest the center of the body.
PUBIC BONE – The bone that makes up the front or anterior portion of your pelvis.
QUADRATUS LUMBORUM - A muscle on either side of the spine running from the lower ribs to the ilium.
QUADRIPLEGIA - Paralysis of all four limbs.
RADICULECTOMY - Excision a part or a whole spinal nerve root.
RADICULITIS – Inflammation or irritation of a nerve root.
RADICULOPATHY- Disease of the nerve roots in or near the spinal canal as a result of direct pressure from a disc, or inflammation of the nerve roots due to disc or spinal joint disease.
RADIOLOGIST - A medical doctor who has received specialized training in interpreting x-rays, CTs, MRI's and performing angiography.
RADIUS BONE - The shorter of the two bones of the forearm located on the thumb side of the wrist/forearm.
REFERRED PAIN - Felt distant from its origin (e.g., bursitis in the shoulder produces pain in the lateral arm, and sciatic-like leg pain can be referred from the lower-back area).
REFLEX - An involuntary reaction in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the nervous centers in the brain or spinal cord.
RESECTION - The surgical removal of part of a structure, such as bone.
RESORPTION - The removal of bone tissue by normal physiological process or as part of a pathological process such as an infection.
RETROLISTHESIS - Posterior displacement of the vertebra on the one below.
REVERSAL of CERVICAL LORDOSIS - Change in the normal curvature of the cervical spine. This is usually a straightening of the normal lordotic curve or an actual reversal and is most commonly caused by muscle spasm, possibly indicating cervical disc abnormality.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - generalized inflammatory joint disease.
RHIZOTOMY - Division of the roots of the spinal nerves.
ROOT - The primary or beginning point of any part, as of a nerve at its origin from the brainstem or spinal cord.
ROOT SLEEVE FIBROSIS - Scar tissue surrounding a nerve in the spinal canal or neural foramen; epineural fibrosis. If it is within the nerve, it is called intraneural fibrosis.
SACRAL CYST - Abnormality in the spinal fluid sac in the sacrum.
SACRALGIA- Pain in the sacrum.
SACRALIZATION- Fusion of L-5 to the first segment of the sacrum, so that the sacrum consists of six segments; with this abnormality, it is called BERTOLOTTI syndrome.
SACROILIAC JOINT – What is commonly though of as your “hip” it is the joint between your sacrum and ilium.
SACROILIITIS- Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. A very painful, often one-sided sacral area pain; for example acute postpardum sacroilitis (sacroiliac pain after giving birth to a child).
SACRUM - A part of the spine that is also part of the pelvis. It articulates with the ilia at the sacroiliac joints and articulates with the lumbar spine at the lumbosacral joint. The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae that have no intervertebral discs.
SAGITTAL - Longitudinal.
SCALENUS - Three deep muscles located at the side of your neck.
SCAPULA – One of the bones in your shoulder girdle (the “shoulder blade”).
SCIATICA - A lay term indicating pain along the course of a sciatic nerve, especially noted in the back of the thigh and below the knee. Pain radiating down the sciatic nerve into the posterior thigh and leg; can be caused by irritation of a nerve anywhere from the nerve root to the back to the thigh.
SCOLIOSIS - Lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.
SEGMENTAL INSTABILITY - Abnormal response to applied loads characterized by motion in the motor segment beyond normal constraints.
SEQUESTRATION - Displaced material escapes as free fragment(s), which may migrate elsewhere.
SHOULDER GIRDLE – Your shoulder is a complex of bones, muscles and connective tissues.
SPINA BIFIDA - A congenital fissure or opening (cleft) of the spinal column with hernial protrusion of the meninges (membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, including the arachnoid, dura mater, and pia mater) and sometimes the spinal cord.
SPINAL ACCESSORY NERVE (eleventh cranial) - The nerve from the brainstem that supplies the sternocleidomastoid muscles.
SPINAL CANAL - The bony channel that is formed by the intravertebral foramen of the vertebrae and in which contains the spinal cord and nerve roots. The space between the vertebral body anteriorly and the lamina and spinal process posteriorly.
SPINAL COLUMN - See Vertebral Column.
SPINAL CORD - The longitudinal cord of nerve tissue that is enclosed in the spinal canal. It serves not only as a pathway for nervous impulses to and from the brain, but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain.
SPINAL DISC - See Disc.
SPINAL FUSION - Operative method of strengthening and limiting motion of the spinal column. Can be performed with a variety of metal instruments and bone grafts, or bone grafts alone.
SPINAL STENOSIS - General term denoting narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar area leading to nerve root compromise; term often used for developmental abnormality that leaves a narrow, bony canal.
SPINE - The flexible bone column extending from the base of the skull to the tailbone. It is made up of 28 bones. The first 26 bones are vertebrae and separated by discs known as intervertebral discs, and bound together by ligaments and muscles. The other two bones are the sacrum and coccyx which are actually fused vertebrae. The spine is also referred to as the vertebral column, spinal column, or backbone.
SPINOUS PROCESS - The portion of the vertebrae that protrudes posteriorly from the spinal column. The spinous processes create the "bumps" felt on the midline of the back. The most posterior extension of the spine arising from the lamina.
SPONDYLALGIA - Pain in vertebra(e).
SPONDYLARTHRITIS - Arthritis of the spine.
SPONDYLITIS - Inflammation of vertebrae, including types such as ankylosing, rheumatoid, traumatic, spondylitis deformans, Kümmell, and Marie-Strümpell disease.
SPONDYLODYNIA - Pain in vertebra(e).
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS - A defect in the construct of bone between the superior and inferior facets with varying degrees of displacement so the vertebra with the defect and the spine above that vertebra are displaced forward in relationship to the vertebrae below. It Is usually due to a developmental defect or the result of a fracture. SPONDYLOLYSIS - Displacement of one vertebrae over another with fracture of a posterior portion of the vertebra. A defect in the neural arch between the superior and inferior facets of vertebrae without separation at the defect and therefore no displacement of the vertebrae. It may be unilateral or bilateral and is usually due to a developmental defect but may be secondary to a fracture.
SPONDYLOMALACIA - Softening of vertebrae; Kümmell disease.
SPONDYLOPATHY - Any vertebral disorder.
SPONDYLOPYOSIS - Infection in vertebra(e).
SPONDYLOSCHISIS - Congenital fissure (splitting) of vertebral arch.
SPONDYLOSIS - Ankylosis of the vertebra; often applied nonspecifically to any lesion of the spine of a degenerative nature. Bony replacement of ligaments around the disc spaces of the spine, associated with decreased mobility and eventual fusion; marginal osteophyte.
SPONDYLOTOMY - Incision into a vertebra or vertebral column; rachiotomy.
SPRAIN- An injury to a ligament when the joint is carried through a range of motion greater than normal, but without dislocation or fracture.
STENOSIS - Reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal due to new bone formation which may result in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID - Large externally visible muscle of the anterior neck, enabling the head to turn to either side.
STERNUM - The breast bone; further divided into three segments. manubrium: upper portion, proximal end; sternum: main portion; xiphoid: the dagger-like tip of the sternum, distal end.
STRABISMUS - Deviation of eye movement which prevents the two eyes from moving in a parallel fashion.
STRAIN - To injure muscles and/or tendons by overuse or improper use.
STRUCTURAL CURVE - A fixed lateral curve of the spinal column.
SUBLUXATION - An incomplete luxation or dislocation; though a relationship is altered, contact between joint surfaces remains.
SUPERIOR - Situated above or directed upward toward the head of an individual.
SURGERY - The branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipulation. The performance or procedures of an operation.
SWOLLEN - See EDEMA
SYNDROME - The aggregate of signs and symptoms associated with any morbid process, and constitution together the picture of the disease.
TENDON - The fibrous band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is mainly composed of collagen.
TENDONITIS - Inflammation of a tendon.
TENSION - The act of stretching. The condition of being stretched or tense, or a stretching or pulling force.
THORACIC - The chest level region of the spine that is located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. It consists of 12 vertebrae which serve as attachment points for ribs. THORACIC CURVE - A spinal curvature with its apex between the second and eleventh thoracic vertebrae.
THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME - Mechanical problem related to the exit of arteries and nerves at the base of the neck leading down the arm, and can also involve the vein bringing blood back from the arm.
THORACOLUMBAR CURVE - A spinal curve with its apex at the first lumbar or twelfth thoracic curve.
THORACOPLASTY - The surgical removal (resection) of rib segments.
THORAX - The chest or rib cage; also refers to the space containing the lungs and heart. There are 12 vertebral segments and ribs; the lower two are called floating ribs.
TISSUE - A collection of similar cells and the intercellular substances surrounding them.
TORTICOLLIS - A contraction, often spasmodic, of the muscles of the neck, chiefly those supplied by the spinal accessory nerve; the head is drawn to one side and usually rotated so that the chin points to the other side.
TRACTION - The act of drawing or pulling, as by an elastic or spring force. A pulling or dragging force exerted on a limb in a distal direction.
TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) - The stimulation of a nerve by passing electrical currents through the skin.
TRANSITIONAL VERTEBRA - Vertebra whose structure features some of the characteristics of the two adjacent vertebra. A common example is the fifth lumbar vertebra that has partial sacral components.
TRANSVERSE - Crosswise; lying across the long axis of the body or of a part.
TRANSVERSE PROCESS - Bony process arising from midportion of the spinal ring just posterior to the pedicle and pars interarticulars.
ULNA - The larger of the two bones of the forearm located on the “pinky” side of the hand/forearm.
ULTRASOUND - The use of high-frequency sound to create images of internal body structures and/or to treat nerves muscles and bones by using a different frequency that vibrates these tissues. VERTEBRA (plural Vertebrae) – 26 of the 29 bones of the spinal or vertebral column. Termed cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebrae. They protect the spinal cord and meninges.
VERTEBRAL BODY - The main rectangular or square portion of the vertebra.
VERTEBRAL COLUMN – 26 vertebrae, the sacrum and the coccyx stacked on top of one another, create the vertebral column. Inside the column, the spinal cord and meninges are housed.
VERTIGO - An abnormal sensation of rotation or movement of one's self, or the environment.
WEDGING - Deformity of vertebral body, caused by trauma or gradual collapse, resulting in wedge-shaped vertebra; can also occur congenitally.
WHIPLASH - Poplar term for hyperextension-hyperflexion injuries AKA cervical acceleration-deceleration injury.
X-RAY - The ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from a highly evacuated tube, resulting from the excitation of the inner orbital electrons by the bombardment of the target anode with a stream of electrons from a heated cathode. A radiograph.
ZYGOPOPHASEAL JOINT - See Facet Joint.
Yours in Health,
Tim Irving DC, MS, LMT, CKTP, Nutritionist
Optimum Function
819 SE Morrison St.
Suite 215
Portland, OR
97214
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