Annulus
The tough outer ring of a spinal disc.

Cartilage
Inside healthy joints, the ends of the bones are covered with a tough tissue called cartilage. This cartilage is smooth and slick, so the bones can move easily.

Discs, Spinal
Strong but soft cushions that separate the bones of your spine and absorb shock as you move.

Nucleus, Disc
Spongy gel-like center of a spinal disc.

Osteoarthritis
A slow degeneration of the joints that connect your bones and allow you to move. Aging, injury, poor posture and excess weight can cause joints to wear down and become stiff and painful.

Sciatica
An inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your lower spine, through your buttocks, then into your leg and foot. There are actually two (2) sciatic nerves, one in each leg. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, it can cause numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in your lower back and leg.

Scoliosis
An abnormal curvature of the spine.

Vertebra (plural is Vertebrae)
A bone of the spine. There are seven (7) cervical vertebrae, twelve (12) thoracic vertebrae and five (5) lumbar vertebrae, as well as those that make up the sacrum and the coccyx.

Whiplash
A neck injury that occurs as the result of a sudden backward and forward whipping movement of the neck. This sudden, forceful movement often stretches or sprains the ligaments and muscles which hold the spinal segments within a critical range of movement or position.