Ankylosing Spondylitis

A painful, inflammatory disease of unknown origin that causes the sacro-iliac joints and spinal vertebra to fuse (ankylose) together .

Annulus Fibrosis

Tough fibrous outer casting of the intervertebral disc that holds the nucleus pulposus in place.

Anterior

Front

Anterior Cord Syndrome

An incomplete lesion when only the front of the spinal cord is damaged (almost always cervical).

Apophyseal Joint

Another name for the facet joint.

Arachnoiditis

A disease where dense scar tissue forms around the nerves of the spine causing symptoms such as burning pain, pins and needles, numbness and weakness.

Arthritis

Degenerative changes to the joints.

Autonimic

The vegetative nervous system which is separatc from but linked to thc spinal cord. It controls the bladder , blood circulation and sweating.

Axon

Small nerve fibre together with others forming the nerve trunk.

Bilateral

On both sides of the body.

Blood tests

Blood is taken via a hypodermic needle from a vein in the forearm. It is then tested to check for signs of infection, anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

The procedure of taking blood is referred to as venepuncture.

Bone scan

A radioactive isotope is injected into the vein and a set of images is obtained.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Brown-Sequard Syndrome occurs whcn one side of thc spinal cord is damaged. Common when injury is caused by a stab wound. On the injured side of the body there are decreased reflexes, while on the opposite side there is a loss of sense, pain
and temperature.

Bursa

A pocket of fluid which collects between tissue in the bone caused by pressure or bumps and which can cause pressure sores.