Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Medium
Spondylolisthesis
Meaning: Forward slippage of one vertebra over the one below it, most often in the lower lumbar spine.
In practice: The lateral lumbar X-ray showed a grade one spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1.
Word parts
- spondyl- means vertebra
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related orthopaedics words.
Which word means: A congenital condition in which two or more fingers or toes are fused or webbed together.
Answer: Syndactyly
Which word means: A procedure that anchors a tendon to bone, often to relieve pain from a damaged tendon.
Answer: Tenodesis
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