Letter: L

Pertaining to the lower back.

A technique used to turn in bed. Patients are instructed to brace their stomach muscles and move their shoulders and hips at the same time to prevent twisting their spine. This is especially helpful for patients following spine surgery since twisting is often painful and stressful to the surgical site.

This ligament attaches the laminae together between adjacent vertebrae. It means “yellow ligament” in latin. It can enlarge with age and pinch nerves. The ligament is residual from development. It’s removal has no negative consequence since it has no role in the stability of the spine.

Of, at, toward, or from the side or sides. Away from the midline of the body.

A laminotomy is a procedure involving surgical removal of a portion of the bony arch of the vertebrae, called the lamina, which covers the spinal canal. A laminectomy is when the whole lamina is removed on one or both sides of the vertebra. A laminotomy and laminectomy are typically performed to remove pressure from nerves. A laminotomy is performed much more frequently than a laminectomy with modern techniques.

A bony structure that is part of the vertebral arch that forms the roof of the spinal canal. It protects the nerves. A small portion of this often needs to be removed in order to perform a microdiscectomy. Removal of a small portion of this bone does not cause instability and often grows back.