Definition

Noun: A medical condition where one vertebra in the spine slips forward out of its proper position onto the vertebra below it. This displacement can put pressure on the spinal nerves, often causing pain.

Usage

This is a specific medical term used primarily in healthcare, anatomy, and patient discussions. It describes a structural problem in the spine. * The patient's chronic lower back pain was diagnosed as spondylolisthesis. * Spondylolisthesis is often caused by a stress fracture in part of the vertebra.

Advanced Usage

• The condition is often classified by grades (e.g., Grade I, Grade II) based on the percentage of slippage.
• It can be described by its cause, such as isthmic spondylolisthesis (caused by a defect in a part of the vertebra called the pars interarticularis) or degenerative spondylolisthesis (caused by aging and wear on the spinal discs and joints).

Variants and Related Words

• Spondylolysis (Noun): A related condition involving a crack or stress fracture in the pars interarticularis of a vertebra, which can sometimes lead to spondylolisthesis.
• Spondylitic (Adjective): Pertaining to or affected by a disorder of the vertebrae. (Note: This is a more general term).

Synonyms

• Vertebral slippage
• Anterolisthesis (specifically forward slippage; retro-listhesis is backward slippage)

Antonyms

• Spinal alignment
• Normal vertebral position

Related Phrases / Collocations

• To diagnose spondylolisthesis: To identify the condition.
  • The MRI was used to diagnose spondylolisthesis.
• Grade of spondylolisthesis: The severity of the slippage.
  • She has a Grade II spondylolisthesis.
• Surgery for spondylolisthesis: An operation to correct the condition.
  • He underwent surgery for spondylolisthesis to relieve the nerve pressure.

Noun

1. a forward dislocation of one vertebra over the one beneath it producing pressure on spinal nerves