Forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower segment is called?

• A. Spondylitis
• B. Spondylolisthesis
• C. Spondylosis
• D. Spondylopathy

Answer: (B)

Forward displacement of a vertebral body over the one below is called spondylolisthesis. This term describes a forward “slip” of a vertebra relative to its inferior partner, which can result from stress fractures of the pars interarticularis (spondylolysis), degenerative changes, or trauma. The name combines spondylo- (spine) with listhesis (slipping). This is distinct from spondylitis, which is inflammation of the vertebrae; spondylosis, degenerative changes of the spine; and spondylopathy, a general spine disease term. In clinical practice, the slip is often discussed at the lumbosacral junction (commonly L5–S1), and slips are graded by how far the vertebra has displaced relative to the one below.