Glossary

Tendon - The fibrous band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is mainly composed of collagen.

Thoracic - The chest level region of the spine that is located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. It consists of 12 vertebrae which serve as attachment points for ribs.

Titanium - A metallic element used to make surgical implants.

Toxicology - The study of the toxic or harmful effects of substances on the body.

Translation - Vertebral body displacement - can describe lateral, anterior or posterior displacement.

Transplant - The implantation of bone tissue, as in grafting, from one part of the body to another, or from one individual to another. Transplant also refers to the transfer of an organ such as a kidney or heart from one individual to another.

Transverse - Refers to a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Transverse tear -Tear or fissure of the anulus, running in the axial plane (horizontally), usually limited to rupture of the outer anular attachments to the ring apophysis. Note: Transverse tears are usually small and are located at the junction of the anulus and ring apophysis. They may fill with gas and, thereby, become detectable on conventional radiographs or CT. They may be early manifestations of spondylosis deformans. More extensive radial tears may have a transverse component. See: concentric tears, radial tears.