Spondylolisthesis
Displacement of one spinal vertebra compared to another / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spondylolisthesis is when one spinal vertebra in slips out of place compared to another.[1] While some medical dictionaries define spondylolisthesis specifically as the forward or anterior displacement of a vertebra over the vertebra inferior to it (or the sacrum),[2][3] it is often defined in medical textbooks as displacement in any direction.[4][5] Spondylolisthesis is graded based upon the degree of slippage of one vertebral body relative to the subsequent adjacent vertebral body.[6] Spondylolisthesis is classified as one of the six major etiologies: degenerative, traumatic, dysplastic, isthmic, pathologic, or post-surgical.[7] Spondylolisthesis most commonly occurs in the lumbar spine, primarily at the L5-S1 level, with the L5 vertebral body anteriorly translating over the S1 vertebral body.[7]
Spondylolisthesis | |
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Other names | Olisthesis |
X-ray of the lateral lumbar spine with a grade III anterolisthesis at the L5-S1 level | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Orthopedics |