Understanding the Medical Terms for Back Pain, Part Two

Continuing our definitions of medical terms concerning back pain, let’s take a look a a few more keywords.

Scoliosis – It is not a disease, it’s a descriptive term used to describe the way in which a person’s spine is curved from side to side, shaped like an “S”. All spines have curves. We need these spinal curves to help the upper body maintain proper balance and alignment over the pelvis. However, when there are abnormal side-to-side curves in the spinal column, it is refered to as scoliosis.

Endoscopy The use of an instrument called an endoscope to look inside the body. It is a minimally invasive diagnostic medical procedure that is used to assess the interior surfaces of an organ by inserting a tube into the body.

As shown in the picture on the right, a endoscope is consists of
- a rigid or flexible tube
- a light delivery system to illuminate the organ or object under inspection
- a lens system transmitting the image to the viewer from the fiberscope
- an additional channel to allow entry of medical instruments or manipulators

Minimally Invasive Procedure – It refers to a less invasive procedure than traditional open surgery. A minimally invasive procedure involves the use of laparoscopic devices and remote-control manipulation of instruments with indirect observation of the surgical field through an endoscope or similar device. The procedure is carried out through the skin, a body cavity, or an anatomical opening.

Read part one here.

Tags: Back Pain, endoscopy, Medical Questions, medical terms, minimally invasive procedure, Scoliosis