Glossary

adolescent scoliosis
a side to side curve in the spine that appears before the beginning of puberty and before skeletal maturity.

adult scoliosis
scoliosis that is present after the skeletal maturity is reached, regardless of what caused the curve.

autograft
any tissue moved from one part of the body to another, all within the same individual. (bone from the hips is often used in spinal fusion surgeries)

autologous blood
blood that is collected from a person to use in later transfusions to that same person during surgery.

autotransfusion
the practice of transfusing previously drawn autologous blood back into an individual during surgery. This technique is often used before surgery when blood loss is expected. This reduces the need for blood from a blood bank, and reduces the risks of acquiring transmitted diseases.

cervical spine
consists of seven spine bones (vertebrae) in the neck area, between the skull and the ribs

Cobb method/angle
a way of measuring the side-to-side curve of the spine on an x-ray. The Cobb method makes lines from two tilted vertebrae (spine bones) along the curved part of the spine, their intersection forms the Cobb angle.

compensatory curve
often occurs above or below a structural curve, which develops in order to maintain normal body alignment and balance

congenital scoliosis
Any scoliosis due to birth defects that result in spine bone abnormalities.

discectomy
removal of all or part of an intervertebral disc (the soft tissue that acts as a shock absorber between the spine bones). This is sometimes done to increase flexibility in the back before a second surgery.

double curve
Two side-to-side curves located in the same spine. For instance, a double major curve is two structural curves of equal size. A double thoracic curve is made up of a structural upper thoracic curve, a larger lower thoracic curve, and a non-structural lumbar curve.

excision
removal by cutting

idiopathic scoliosis
any structural side-to-side curve of the spine that does not have a known cause. Over 80% of all scoliosis cases are idiopathic.

infantile scoliosis
A side-to-side curve of the spine that develops before a child is three years of age.

ischium

the back portion of the hip bone

juvenile scoliosis
A side-to-side curve of the spine that develops in a child between the ages of 3-10 years of age.

lordosis
also called swayback, saddle back, hollow back. A curve of the spine that results in a hollowed out area in the lumbar (lower back) region.

lumbar curve
a side-to-side curve that occurs in the lumbar, or lower back. More specifically, it is any curve that occurs between the first and fourth lumbar vertebrae.

lumbosacral curve
a side-to-side curve that occurs in the hip area, at the fifth lumbar vertebrae or below.

neuromuscular scoliosis
A form of scoliosis caused by a neurologic disorder of the nerves or muscles.

non-structural curve
Any curve of the spine that can be corrected by changing one’s posture. The curve is said to not be "fixed".

roentgenogram
X-ray

Risser sign
a technique to determine spinal maturity, by measuring the line of bone formation on the top of the hip bone.

sacrum
the curved triangular bone at the base of the spine, consisting of five fused vertebrae (spine bones)

scoliosis
any side to side curve of the spine which, when measured by the Cobb angle taken on an x-ray, is greater than ten degrees.

skeletal maturity
the age at which a teenager’s growth spurt begins to slow to it’s adult rate. It is often measured by calculating the age of bones, which is different from the age of the person. Girls reach sexual maturity at about age 16.5, and boys by age 18.

spinal instrumentation
metal implants attached to the spine to straighten the spine. These implants include rods, hooks, wires and screws used in different combinations.

spondylitis
an inflammatory disease of the spine

structural curve
Any curve of the spine that cannot be corrected by changing one’s posture. The curve is set in place, and can only be changed with surgery or bracing. Most scoliotic curves are structural.

thoracic curve
a side-to-side curve that occurs at the rib cage area, between the second and eleventh thoracic vertebrae.

thoracolumbar curve
a side-to-side curve that occurs at the waist area the between the twelfth thoracic or first lumbar spine.

Thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO)
a type of brace that controls curves that occur in the thoracic and lumbar section of the spine. The Boston brace and the Charleston brace are thoracolumbar braces.

vertebral column
Another word for "spine", this is a flexible, supportive column made of up vertebrae, separated by discs and connected through ligaments.