Thursday 27 September 2012

WOTD: Spondylolysis

A sagittal x-ray of a female patient with L4 spondylolysis. Photograph: Spineuniverse.com

"Spondylolysis" - A disorder of the spine in which the arch of the 5th (or, rarely, the 4th) lumbar vertebra consists of soft fibrous tissue instead of normal bone. As a result, the arch is weak and prone to damage, which may produce spondylolisthesis (the slipping forward of a vertebra over the one below it.) Otherwise, spondylolysis is usually symptomless.

"spondylolysis". British Medical Association (2007). Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 2nd ed. London: Dorling Kindersley (DK). p522.

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