Download Spine/Back Vocabulary - Liberty Union High School District

Spine/Back Vocabulary
1. Afferent Nerve: Carries impulses to CNS, also known as sensory
2. Annulus Fibrosus: Rings of collagen fibers that surround disc
3. Atlas: 1st Cervical vertebrae, articulates with skull
4. Autonomic Nervous System: Division of PNS, deals with involuntary functions
5. Axial Loading: Mechanism of most serious cervical spine injuries
6. Axis: 2nd Cervical vertebrae, allows us to turn our heads
7. Bilateral: Involving both sides
8. Burner: Symptom of cervical nerve stretch syndrome
9. Central Nervous System (CNS): Composed of brain & spinal cord
10. Cervical Nerve Syndrome: Injury from forced lat. flexion
11. Cervical Vertebrae: Superior 7 bones of the spine
12. Coccyx: Last bone of the spinal column, “tail bone”
13. Cranial Nerve: 12 pairs of nerves that begin in the brain
14. Effectors: Organs that respond to a stimulus
15. Efferent Nerve: Carries impulses from CNS, also known as motor
16. Gray Matter: Inner part of spinal cord & outer part of brain
17. Intervertebral Disc Herniation: Nucleus pushes on Annulus, puts pressure on
spinal cord/nerve
18. Kyphosis: “Round Back”, exaggerated thoracic curve
19. Lumbar Vertebrae: 5 vertebrae associated with the lower back
20. Lordosis: “Sway Back”, exaggerated lumbar curve
21. Meninges: Any of 3 membranes that enclose brain & spinal cord
22. Mixed Nerve: Nerve composed of efferent and afferent fibers
23. Motor Nerve: Carries impulses from CNS, also known as efferent
24. Neuropraxia: Cessation of nerve function w/out degeneration
25. Nucleus Pulposus: Jelly substance in center of vertebral disc
26. Odontoid Process: Bony projection on Axis, allowing rotation
27. Paresthesia: Sensation of tingling, crawling, or burning of the skin
28. Paraplegia: Paralysis of 2 lower limbs
29. Parasympathetic Nervous System: Inhibits actions of sympathetic system
30. Peripheral Nervous System: Communication link between body & CNS
31. Plexus: Network of spinal nerves
32. Quadriparesis: Partial paralysis of 4 limbs
33. Quadriplegia: Paralysis of 4 limbs
34. Receptor: Sensory nerve receives a stimulus & transmits it to CNS
35. Reflex: Involuntary reaction to a stimulus
36. Sacroiliac Joint: Area between Sacrum and Pelvis
37. Sacrum: Wedge-shaped bone below lumbar vertebrae
38. Scheurmann’s Disease: Degenerative condition of the spine
39. Sciatic Nerve: Largest nerve in the body, originates in sacral plexus
40. Sciatica: Inflammation of the sciatic nerve
41. Scoliosis: Lateral curvature of the spine
42. Sensory Nerve: Carries impulses to CNS, also known as afferent
43. Spinal Cord: Part of CNS within spinal column
44. Spinal Cord Shock: Transitory paralysis
45. Spinal Nerve: One of 31 pairs of nerves originating from spinal cord
46. Spinous Process: Bony protrusion off posterior of vertebrae
47. Spondylolisthesis: Forward slipping of the vertebrae
48. Spondylolysis: Fracture of the pars of lumbar vertebrae
49. Stimulus: Any change in the environment
50. Subcutaneous Spinous Process: The area just under the skin, over each
protrusion of the vertebrae
51. Subluxation: Incomplete or partial dislocation of a joint
52. Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares body for “fight or flight”
53. Thoracic Vertebrae: 12 bones of the spine located in the chest area
54. Transverse Process: Bony protrusions off the lateral sides of vertebrae
55. Unilateral: One side only
56. White Matter: Outer part of spinal cord & inner part of brain