My Spine - Cervical
Flattening of the spinal cord – This is a description of the situation that occurs when a herniated ( slipped or prolapsed ) disc has extended so far into the spinal canal that it is pushing on the spinal cord .
�erve root – This is the nerve root that leaves the spinal cord and exit the spine through the intervertebral foramen . Most of the exiting nerve roots can be seen side-on in the axial planes and in the coronal planes and are seen endon in the sagittal plane .
Foraminal stenosis – This is a narrowing of the foramen and the exiting nerve root can become compressed in the foramen by either a disc herniation or a hypertrophied facet joint or a combination of both .
Spondylolisthesis – This is the term that describes a slip of one vertebra on the one directly below and is secondary to a weakness in the bone that supports the facet joints that keep the spine stable .
Spondylolysis – This is frequently the cause of spondylolisthesis and is the process where the bone supporting the facet joints is weak and fractured .
Spondylosis – This is spinal degeneration and is characterised by bone spurs ( osteophytes ) that develop on the vertebral bodies and are usually asymptomatic , except if they compress nerves .
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