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Picture a tripod, with the body of the vertebra as one leg, and the facet joints as the other two legs. Looking down on the spine from above with the stomach in the front... The body of the vertebra is at 12 o'clock (noon) and the facet joints are at 5 & 7 o'clock [posterior (behind) & lateral (off to the side)] of the main vertebral body.
Facet joints help stabilize the spine, and wear & tear over a long period of time will lead to the body strengthening these joints by depositing more bone to make them stronger. This is called Arthritis.
Nerves exit the spinal cord and travel between these facet joints; when there is a lot of bone build-up, the causes crowding in the area where the nerves exit the spine to travel down the body. This narrowing is called 'stenosis'.
If there is enough 'stenosis' of this area the nerve exiting the spine in this area can have some pressure placed on it.
Nerves are like the wiring in the house, except individual nerves fibers are bundled up together, like a lot of individual small wires within the main bundle. Each individual wire (nerve fiber) travels to one specific spot in the brain, traveling all the way from its origin in the body, through the spinal column (cord) to the brain.
If this nerve fiber in affected ANYWHERE along its path, it will make the brain think pain is originating where the nerve fiber originated. So if a nerve bundle in "pinched" in the spine, the brain will get the signal that (let's say, assuming the nerve came from the foot) an area in the foot is hurting.
What else can I help you with?
What does Moderate to severe bilateral facet arthrosis present at L4-5 and on the left at L5-S1 mean?
what does bilateral facet arthropathy mean
What does suspected bilateral nonunited spondyloysis at L5 mean?
There are arthritic, age-related changes at the fifth lumbar vertebrae.
What is bilateral facet arthropathy?
Bilateral facet arthropathy refers to degenerative changes in the facet joints on both sides of the spine. These changes can include joint inflammation, cartilage breakdown, and bone spur formation, leading to pain and stiffness in the affected area. Diagnosis is typically made through imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI scans, and treatment may involve pain management, physical therapy, or in severe cases, surgery.
What does moderate arthropathy L-4-L5 and L-5-S1 mean?
what does moderate facet arthropathy l5-s1 mean
What does hypertrophic mean in lower back pain?
what does hypertrophic fact arthropathy mean in back
What does medical code 716.9 mean?
ICD-9-CM diagnosis code for: Arthropathy, unspecified
What does the medical abbreviation BILAT mean?
Bilateral
What does the medical abbreviation LP mean?
Lumbar Puncture
What is narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal mean?
stenosis
What does bilateral mean in science?
Bilateral means on both sides. Lateral pertains to the side of something.
Where in the vertical column is a lumbar puncture generally done?
I think you mean level of the vertebral column is a lumbar puncture generally performed?
Is it normal to have 6 lumbar spines?
Everybody has only one lumbar spine. You may mean six lumbar vertebrae, instead of the normal five. This is an anatomical variation, not in itself e problem.
