Letter D
DISC OSTEOPHYTE COMPLEX
Usually refers to arthritis in the cervical (neck) or thoracic (mid-back) region. Is composed of both disc material and bone spurs. Often it is difficult to tell the difference between bone and disc on MRI. This can cause stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal and could compress or impinge the spinal cord.
DISC PROTRUSION
A focal outpouching of the disc usually as wide as it is long. It can point towards the center of the spinal canal or towards the sides where the nerves are located.
DISC SPACE
Space between two spine bones, where disc is located.
DISCOID ATELECTASIS
A flat area of compressed or deflated lung that looks like a white line on a chest x-ray.
DISLOCATION
Misplaced bone.
DISPLACEMENT
Describes how one bone is misplaced in relation to another bone.
DISTAL
Far end of something. Towards the feet. The opposite of proximal which is towards the head.
DIVERTICULA
Multiple diverticulum (see above).
DIVERTICULITIS
Inflammation of an outpouching. Commonly used to describe “colonic diverticulitis”, inflammation of an outpouching (often called “tic”) in the colon.
DIVERTICULOSIS
Multiple outpouchings. Commonly used to describe outpouching in the colon.
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