RACHIALGIA

Pain in the vertebral column.

RACHICENTESIS

Lumbar puncture for examination of the spinal fluid; rachiocentesis.

RACHIOCAMPSIS

Curvature of the spine.

RACHIOCHYSIS

Effusion of fluid within the vertebral canal.

RACHIOKYPHOSIS

Humpbacked curvature of spine; kyphosis.

RACHIOMYELITIS

Inflammation of the spinal cord.

RACHIOPARALYSIS

Paralysis of the spinal muscles.

RACHIOPATHY

Any disease of the spine.

RACHIOPLEGIA

Spinal paralysis.

RACHIOSCOLIOSIS

Lateral curvature of the spine.

RACHIOTOMY

Incision into a vertebral canal for exploration.

RACHISAGRA

Pain or gout in the spine.

RACHISCHISIS

Abnormal congenital opening of the vertebral column.

RACHITOMY

Surgical or anatomic opening of the vertebral canal.

RADICULECTOMY

Excision of a rootlet or resection of spinal nerve roots.

RADICULOPATHY

Disease of the nerve roots in or near the spinal canal as a result of direct pressure from a disc, or inflammation of the nerve roots due to disc or spinal joint disease.

RADIATION ONCOLOGIST

A medical doctor who has received advanced training in the treatment of persons receiving x-ray treatment for an illness.

RADIATION PHYSICIST

A person having a PhD degree who is trained in the science dealing with the properties, changes and interactions of continous energy.

RADICLE

A rootlet or structure resembling one, a minute veinlet joining with others to form a vein.

RADICULAR

Relating to the radicle.

RADIOLOGIST

A medical doctor who has received specialized training in interpreting x-rays, CTs, MRIs and performing angiography.

RADIOTHERAPY

Treatment of a lesion with radiation.

RADIUS

The lateral and shorter of the two bones of the foreman.

RECOMBINANT HUMAN PROTEINS

proteins developed by isolating a human protein and using recombinant DNA technology to produce genetically engineered proteins that act like natural proteins.

REFERRED PAIN

Sclerotomic in distribution and felt distant from its origin (e.g., bursitis in the shoulder produces pain in the lateral arm, and sciatic-like leg pain can be referred from the lower-back area).

REFLEX

An involuntary reaction in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the nervous centers in the brain or spinal cord.

RESECTION

The surgical removal of part of a structure, such as bone.

RESORPTION

The removal of bone tissue by normal physiological process or as part of a pathological process such as an infection.

RETROLISTHESIS

Posterior displacement of the vertebra on the one below.

REVERSAL of CERVICAL LORDOSIS

Change in the normal curvature of the cervical spine as seen on lateral radiograph. This is usually a straightening of the normal lordotic curve or an actual reversal and is most commonly caused by muscle spasm, indicating cervical disc abnormality.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Generalized inflammatory joint disease.

RHIZOTOMY

Division of the roots of the spinal nerves.

RISSER

For scoliosis deformity; particular attention to fusion of facet joints and use of cast stabilization.

ROAF, KIRKALDY-WILLIS, and CATTERO

Drainage of thoracic spinal abcess through dorsolateral approach.

ROBINSON and RILEY

An extensive anterior approach for fusion of C-1 to C-3 or lower.

ROD

In spinal applications, a slender, metal implant which is used to immobilize and align the spine.

ROGER FUSION

Posterior cervical using iliac cortical and cancellous grafts.

ROGOZINSKI

A combined anteroposterior device used in correction of spinal deformities.

ROOT

The primary or beginning point of any part, as of a nerve at its origin from the brainstem or spinal cord.

ROOT SLEEVE FIBROSIS

Scar tissue surrounding a nerve in the spinal canal or neural foramen; epineural fibrosis. If it is within the nerve, it is called intraneural fibrosis.

ROUNDING OF THE CRANIAL BORDER

Relationship of the height to the width of the rounded portion of the superior sacrum.

ROY-CAMILLE

For stabilization between the skull and C-2; posterior bone graft with wire and parallel vertical screw plate fixation from occiput to C-3. Posterior pedicle screw and plate device for spinal stabilization.

RUDIMENTARY RIBS

Nubbins of ribs seen below the level where the last rib normally occurs.

RUPTURED DISC

See Herniated Disc.

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