What the difference between cervical spondylosis and spondylitis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis?

What the difference between cervical spondylosis and spondylitis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis?

Cervical spondylosis is a degeneration – or breakdown – of the spine and disks in your neck. It is a general term for the situation that occurs in your neck area. It is an arthritis of the joints (the spaces) between the vertebrae in the neck.

Spondylitis is inflammation of one or more vertebrae. “Itis” means inflammation. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis in your spine. Ankylosing spondylitis can result in vertebrae fusing together.

Spondylolysis is a physical break in the mid-arch area of a section of vertebrae called the pars interarticularis. The pars interarticularis are the horizontal pieces on the sides of the main body of each vertebrae – the “wings” on the body of each vertebrae. This condition is usually caused by injury, trauma or overuse by hyperextension (for example, weight lifters, tennis players). Spondylolysis usually occurs in the lumber (lower back) spine.

Cervical spondylolisthesis is a specific condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebrae beneath it. A fracture (break) or injury of the vertebrae of the spine can cause the vertebra to start to shift out of place.