The glossary is a compilation from various reference materials, including Webster's Medical Dictionary and the On-Line Medical Dictionary.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Atlas |
The top or first cervical vertebra, supporting the skull and articulating with the occipital bone and rotating around the dens of the axis. |
| Axis |
The second vertebra of the neck that is prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first vertebra, so as to form the odontoid process or peg which serves as a pivot for the atlas and head to turn upon. |
| Back brace |
An orthosis or orthopedic appliance that supports or holds the back in correct position. Two types of back braces are lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) and thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO). See also orthosis and spinal support. |
| Backbone |
The vertebrate spine or spinal column. See spinal column. |
| Bone |
The dense, semi-rigid, porous, calcified connective tissue forming the major portion of the skeleton of most vertebrates. It consists of a dense organic matrix and an inorganic, mineral component. |
| Cervical curve |
The spinal curvature composed of the seven cervical vertebrae. |
| Degenerative |
Deterioration, passing from a higher to a lower level or type. |
| Ligaments |
A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilage, serving to support and strengthen joints. |
| Lumbar curve |
The spinal curvature composed of the five lumbar vertebrae. |
| Lumbar vertebrae |
The vertebrae, usually five in number, located in the lumbar region of the back. |
| Lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) |
An external orthopedic appliance that immobilizes the lumbar spine from the sacrococcygeal junction to the T9 vertebra. Also referred to as a back brace or spinal support. |
| Muscle |
A tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting to effect bodily movement. |
| Nerves |
Any of the cord-like bundles of fibers made up of neurons through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body. Nerves form a network of pathways for conducting information throughout the body. |
| Orthosis |
An external orthopedic appliance that prevents or assists the movement of the spine or limbs. See also back brace and spinal support. |
| Orthotist |
A maker and fitter of orthopedic appliances. |
| Pathological |
Morbid or diseased; pertaining to disease. |
| Pelvic curve |
The spinal curvature composed of the sacrum and coccyx. |
| Rib cage |
The enclosing structure formed by the ribs and the bones to which they are attached. |
| Sacrum |
A triangular bone made up of five fused vertebrae and forming the posterior section of the pelvis. |
| Scapulae |
Shoulder blade. |
| Spinal column |
The series of articulated vertebrae, separated by intervertebral discs and held together by muscles and tendons, that extend from the cranium to the coccyx or the last bone of the vertebral column, encasing the spinal cord and forming the supporting axis of the body; the spine. |
| Spinal cord |
The thick, whitish cord of nerve tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata down through the spinal column and from which the spinal nerves branch out to various parts of the body. |
| Spinal support |
An orthosis or orthopedic appliance that supports or holds the back in correct position. Two types of back braces are lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) and thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO). See also back brace and orthosis. |
| Tendons |
A band of tough, inelastic fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to its bony attachment. |
| Thoracic curve |
The spinal curvature composed of the thoracic vertebrae. |
| Thoracic vertebrae |
The segments of the vertebral column, usually twelve, which articulate with ribs to form part of the thoracic cage. |
| Thoracolumbosacral orthosis |
An external orthopedic appliance that supports the back from an area between the shoulder blades (scapulae) to a point just above the buttocks. Also referred to as a back brace or spinal support. |
| Vertebra |
One of the bony segments of the spinal column. |
