FACET

A flat, platelike surface that acts as part of a joint; as seen in the vertebrae of the spine and in the subtalar joint of the ankle. Each vertebra has two superior and two inferior facets.

FACET ARTHROPATHY

A degenerative disease affecting the facet joint.

FACECTOMY

Excision of an articular facet of a vertebra.

FACET TROPISM

Asymmetrical orientation of the facets comparing right to left side.

FAILURE of SEGMENTATION

Failure of a portion or all of two or more adjoining vertebrae to separate into normal units.

FALX (CEREBRI)

An extension of dura between the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

FATIGUE

That state, following a period of mental or bodily activity; characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment, usually accompained by a feeling of weariness, sleepiness, or irritability.

FATIGUE FRACTURE

A fracture that occurs in bone or in other materials. Including metal, as a result of repeated stress as opposed to a single injury.

FENESTRATION (of cyst)

Surgical creation of window-like opening.

FIBROSIS

The replacement of normal tissue with scar tissue.

FIBROMYOSITIS

Chronic inflammation of a muscle with an overgrowth, or hyperplasia, of the connective tissue.

FISSURE

A groove or natural division, deep furrow in the brain.

FLATTENING of NORMAL LUMBAR CURVE

Condition in which the hollow of the back becomes shallow or even straight.

FLEXION

The act of flexing or bending; bending of a joint so as to approximate the parts it connects.

FONTANELLE

Normal openings in the skull of infants; the largest of these is the anterior fontanel or "soft spot" in the middle of the head.

FOOD AND DRUG

ADMINISTRATION (FDA)The Federal government agency that has regulatory authority over the manufacture, distribution, and labeling of drugs, medical devices, and foods.

FONTANELLES

"Soft spots" of the infant's head, normal unossified areas in the infant skull.

FORAMEN

A natural opening or passage in bone. An opening allowing for the egress of spinal nerve roots from between two vertebrae.

FORAMINOTOMY

Surgical opening or enlargement of the bony opening traversed by a nerve root as it leaves the spinal canal. A procedure carried out alone or in conjunction with disc surgery.

FRACTURE

A disruption of the normal continuity of bone.

FRACTURE-DISLOCATION

Fracture of a bone that is also dislocated from its normal position in a joint.

FUNCTIONAL SCOLIOSIS

Any scoliosis that is caused by leg length or other functional disorder and not by a primary curvature of the spine.

FUNCTIONAL STEREOTACTIC NEUROSURGERY

Surgery intended to improve the function of the central nervous system. A stereotactic head frame is used along with imaging techniques to map the brain and localize the surgical target.

FUSIFORM ANEURYSM

A sausage-like enlargement of the vessel

FUSION

Union or healing of bone (see Arthrodesis).

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Published: July 22, 2002

Updated: February 18, 2008

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