What does unremarkable lumbar spine mean?
When you see the term ‘unremarkable’, first you need to understand that your report is normal. There are no abnormalities visible at the time of the MRI. Unremarkable simply means that the report is normal.
What is the common name for lumbar spine?
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of your back. Stenosis, which means narrowing, can cause pressure on your spinal cord or the nerves that go from your spinal cord to your muscles. Spinal stenosis can happen in any part of your spine but is most common in the lower back.
What causes degenerative changes in lumbar spine?
Spondylosis Facts
- The word spondylosis comes from the Greek word for vertebrae.
- Spondylosis refers to degenerative changes in the spine such as bone spurs and degenerating intervertebral discs between the vertebrae.
- Spondylosis changes in the spine are frequently referred to as osteoarthritis. ...
What is a CR spine?
Traumatic SCI is attributed to a direct and immediate mechanical insult (including motor vehicle collisions, falls, violence, and sports-related injuries) to the spinal cord, while non-traumatic SCI arises from insufficient blood flow, spinal tumors, and osteoarthritis [4,5,6].
What does CT of spine show?
Computed tomography (CT) of the spine is a diagnostic imaging test used to help diagnose—or rule out—spinal column damage in injured patients. CT scanning is fast, painless, noninvasive and accurate. In emergency cases, it can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives.
What can a CT scan show for lower back pain?
Your doctor might order a CT scan to diagnose a back injury related to soft tissues. A CT scan shows images of muscles, organs and ligaments more clearly than a conventional x-ray....A CT scan may be used to diagnose the following:Disc degeneration.Ruptured discs.Spinal stenosis.Spinal cord infections or tumors.
What is the difference between C spine and L spine?
A cervical disc is an intervertebral disc in your cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar disc is the intervertebral disc in your lumbar region (lower back).
What is a XR thoracic spine?
A thoracic spine x-ray is an x-ray of the 12 chest (thoracic) bones (vertebrae) of the spine. The vertebrae are separated by flat pads of cartilage called disks that provide a cushion between the bones. This is the spine and the sacrum with the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) vertebra.
Can CT scan show nerve damage?
Answer: Damaged nerves cannot be seen on a regular X-ray. They can be seen on CAT scan or MRI, and in fact, MRI is recommended for examining details of the spinal cord.
Which is better MRI or CT scan for spine?
CT scans are better for issues with your bones and blood vessels, while MRI scans are better for issues with your spinal cord, muscles, and other soft tissues. If your doctor orders a CT cervical spine scan, they may want a closer look at the bones or blood vessels in your neck. They may order an MRI as well.
Where is the C spine located?
The cervical spine is made up of the first seven vertebrae in the spine. It starts just below the skull and ends just above the thoracic spine. The cervical spine has a lordotic curve (a backward C-shape) - just like the lumbar spine.
What part of the spine controls the legs?
lumbar spineSacral region The lowest part of the spinal cord contains 5 pairs of nerves. These control the thighs, lower legs, and the genital and anal areas. Sacral nerve injury can happen anywhere from the upper lumbar spine down to the sacrum.
Which vertebrae affect which nerves?
The spinal nerves are numbered according to the vertebrae above which it exits the spinal canal. The 8 cervical spinal nerves are C1 through C8, the 12 thoracic spinal nerves are T1 through T12, the 5 lumbar spinal nerves are L1 through L5, and the 5 sacral spinal nerves are S1 through S5. There is 1 coccygeal nerve.
What organs are affected by thoracic spine?
The nerves that branch off from your spinal cord in your thoracic spine transmit signals between your brain and major organs, including your:Lungs.Heart.Liver.Small intestine.
Can thoracic spine affect legs?
Thoracic spinal cord injury symptoms depend on the type of nerve damage. Spinal pain can radiate into arms, legs or around the rib cage from back toward the anterior chest. The following may be associated with thoracic spine nerve damage: Significant leg weakness or loss of sensation.
Is thoracic back pain serious?
Most people with thoracic spine pain get better without treatment in a couple of weeks. However, persistent thoracic back pain is more likely to be due to a serious cause than pain in other areas of the spine.
What is the lumbar spine?
Your lumbar spine consists of the five bones (vertebra) in your lower back. Your lumbar vertebrae, known as L1 to L5, are the largest of your entire spine. Your lumbar spine is located below your 12 chest (thoracic) vertebra and above the five fused bones that make up your triangular-shaped sacrum bone.
What are the muscles and other soft tissues of the lumbar spine?
Your lumbar muscles, along with your abdominal muscles, work to move your trunk and lower back. Your muscles and ligaments provide strength and stability to your lower back and allow you to bend forward, backward and rotate. The muscles that attach to your lumbar spine include:
What diseases and disorders affect your lumbar spine?
Many problems can occur in your lumbar spine. These problems can limit motion in your back or hips and cause pain, weakness and numbness or tingling in your back, hip, thigh or leg.
How are diseases and conditions of the lumbar spine diagnosed?
First, your healthcare provider will gather your medical and medication history, ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and order tests and imaging studies.
How are lumbar spine health issues treated?
Both nonsurgical treatment options and surgery are available to treat many of the conditions that affect the lumbar spine. The choice depends on the cause of the lumbar spine issue and its severity.
What are the nonsurgical treatment options for lumbar spine conditions?
Your healthcare provider may first recommend less invasive approaches for lumbar pain that aren’t caused by trauma or a tumor. Some common nonsurgical treatment options include:
Is having minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery a possibility?
Speak with your surgeon. In most cases, minimally invasive spine surgery has replaced open surgery. Compared to the one large incision through your skin with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery is performed through one or more smaller incisions.
What is the spinal cord?
The spinal cord ends between the first and second lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2). Below this level, the remaining nerves form the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves resembling a horse’s tail. These small nerves transmit messages between the brain and structures in the lower body, including the large intestine, bladder, abdominal muscles, perineum, legs and feet.
What is the gel-like center of each disc called?
The gel-like center of each disc, called the nucleus pulposus is encased or surrounded by the annulus fibrosus—a tough layer of fibrocartilage that could be likened to a radial tire.
What is the difference between a low back and a posterior vertebral body?
The low back vertebral bodies are larger, thicker block-like structures of dense bone. From the front (or anterior), the vertebral body appears rounded. However, the posterior bony structure is different—lamina, pedicles and bony processes project off the back of the vertebral body.
What are the three major ligaments that hold the vertebrae together?
The 3 major spinal ligaments are the (1) anterior longitudinal ligament, (2) posterior longitudinal ligament and (3) ligamentum flavum. Spinal tendons attach muscles to the vertebrae and together work to limit excessive movement.
What are discs in the joint?
Discs are integral to the joint complex and function to (1) hold the superior and inferior vertebrae together, (2) bear weight, (3) absorb and distribute shock and forces during movement , and (4) create open nerve passageways called foramen or neuroforamen.
How to reduce back pain?
You can minimize your risk of a lower back problem by: 1. Lose weight. Even a 10-pound loss can help reduce lower back pain. 2. Strengthen and maintain core (abdominal) muscles. The abdominal and lower back muscles work together to form a supportive “girdle” around your waist and lower back.
What is the term for a nerve that can radiate into one or both legs?
Lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of lower back pain that can radiate into one or both legs, called lumbar radiculopathy.
What are the muscles of the lumbar spine?
Important muscles of the lumbar spine include: 1 Multifidus: This long muscle travels nearly the entire length of the back. It stabilizes and rotates the lumbar spine. 2 Longissimus: Another long muscle, this one begins in the middle of the lumbar spine and continues up to the transverse process. 3 Spinalis: This superficial muscle begins as a thick tendon from the sacrum and travels up into the neck, inserting at the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae.
Which vertebrae are shaped like a wedge?
Lumbar vertebrae: Numbered L1 through L5, these odd-shaped vertebrae signal the end of the typical bones of the spinal column. Sacrum: This triangle-shaped bone is made up of five fused vertebrae. It fits like a wedge into the back of the pelvis at the hips. Coccyx: This small bone is better known as the tailbone.
Why does my lower back hurt?
Lower back issues can put pressure on the lumbar spine nerves and create even stronger pain as the nerves become pinched or irritated from friction. Some common causes of reoccurring lower back pain include: Muscle injury, which can occur from overuse or a sudden injury. Fractured vertebrae.
What is the role of the lower back muscles?
The muscles of the lower back help stabilize, rotate, flex, and extend the spinal column, which is a bony tower of 24 vertebrae that gives the body structure and houses the spinal cord. The spinal cord and its nerves are the means by which the body and brain communicate with one another.
What is a herniated disc?
Herniated disc, or damage to the cushioning between vertebrae. Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative bone disease. Last medically reviewed on February 10, 2015.
Which muscle travels nearly the entire length of the back?
Multifidus: This long muscle travels nearly the entire length of the back. It stabilizes and rotates the lumbar spine. Longissimus: Another long muscle, this one begins in the middle of the lumbar spine and continues up to the transverse process.
What is the tailbone?
Coccyx: This small bone is better known as the tailbone. Muscles connect to the vertebrae and bones via ligaments, flexible bands of fibrous tissue. The deep muscles of the back fit into or affix parts of themselves to the grooves in the spinous processes, or the protrusion of the bone than can be felt through the skin.
What is the lumbar spine?
The lower back comprises the lumbar spine, which is formed by vertebral bones, intervertebral discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels. The spinal cord ends at the top of the lumbar spine, and the remaining nerve roots, called the cauda equina, descend down the remainder of the spinal canal.
What are the functions of the lumbar spine?
Functions of the Lumbar Spine. The lower back performs the following important functions: Support and stabilize the upper body. The 5 lumbar vertebrae are the largest compared to other spinal regions. 1,2 In conjunction with the muscles and ligaments, these vertebrae help support the weight of the upper body, including the head and neck.
What vertebrae protect the spinal cord?
Protect the spinal cord and cauda equina. The upper lumbar vertebrae protect the spinal cord in their vertebral arches. The lower vertebrae provide a bony enclosure for the cauda equina nerves that descend from the spinal cord. Control leg movements.
Why does the lumbar spine have a concave lordotic curve?
When viewed from the side, the lumbar spine has a concave lordotic curve that helps distribute weights and reduce the concentration of stresses. An increase or decrease in this lordosis may contribute to lower back pain. 2. Read more about Spinal Anatomy and Back Pain.
What is a single lumbar motion segment?
A single lumbar motion segment is comprised of: Two consecutive vertebrae, such as L4-L5, stacked vertically.
Which spine is responsible for truncal movement?
The lumbar spine also transfers loads from the upper body to the legs. 2. Allow truncal movements. The lower back is the primary facilitator for movements of the trunk in various directions, including front and back, side to side, and twisting movements. 3 Movement mostly occurs in the last two vertebral levels. 4.
What is the intervertebral disc?
An intervertebral disc that has a soft inner gelatinous core surrounded by a tough fibrous covering is situated between the vertebrae. The disc acts like a shock absorber in the spine, allowing flexibility and providing protection from jarring movements. See Spinal Discs.
What is the lumbar region?
The lumbar region of the spine, more commonly known as the lower back, consists of five vertebrae labeled L1 through L5. The lumbar region is situated between the thoracic, or chest, region of the spine, and the sacrum. The lumbar spine typically has a slight inward curve known as lordosis. The lower back region contains large muscles ...
What is the name of the curve in the lower back?
The lumbar spine typically has a slight inward curve known as lordosis. The lower back region contains large muscles that support the back and allow for movement in the trunk of the body. These muscles can spasm or become strained, which is a common cause of lower back pain.
Where does the spinal cord connect to the lumbar spine?
The spinal cord travels from the base of the skull to the joint at T12-L1, where the thoracic spine meets the lumbar spine. At this segment, nerve roots branch out from the spinal cord, running from the lower back through the back of the leg, and down to the toes.
Which vertebrae carry the most weight?
The five vertebrae of the lumbar spine are connected in the back by facet joints, which allow for forward and backward extension, as well as twisting movements. The two lowest segments in the lumbar spine, L5-S1 and L4-L5, carry the most weight and have the most movement, making the area prone to injury. In between vertebrae are spinal discs, which ...
