The thoracic spine is located in the upper to the middle area of the back. It connects with the cervical vertebrae, extending down to approximately five inches below the bottom of the shoulder blades in an adult, where it then connects to the vertebrae of the lower spine. The thoracic spine consists up of twelve […]

A blood test is described as a type of laboratory analysis that involves extracting a blood sample from a vein. The extraction during a blood test uses a needle in the arm, or by using a fingerprick. General blood tests are pretty common and are sometimes a natural part of the routine check-up or medical […]

A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays and computer technology to provide your physician with very detailed images of your body in cross-sectional views. Your doctor may order a CT scan if he suspects a fracture that doesn’t show up on an x-ray, such as on your pelvis or collarbone, a tumor, or if you’ve […]

Discography is a procedure which helps determine if the discs in your spine are responsible for your back pain. The discs lie in between each pair of vertebrae and provide cushioning for your spine. Sometimes discography is ordered before surgery to identify which particular discs are painful. Prior to the procedure, an IV will be […]

What are the sacral vertebrae? The sacral vertebrae are located near the very bottom of the spinal column. They are located between the lumbar spine and the tailbone, which is also called the coccyx. The sacrum is shaped like a triangle. Its sacral vertebrae are fused together into one solid bone. The first three sacral […]

What is arthrography? Arthrography, or an arthrogram, is a special kind of X-ray. It uses air or a contrast dye or sometimes both, along with a special x-ray to give your doctor a more detailed picture of the soft tissues of your joint. These tissues include muscles and cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. These tissues cannot […]

X-radiations, often abbreviated as x-rays, is a type of imaging diagnostic procedure that uses electromagnetic radiation. It was aptly named x-ray because when it was discovered, it was a particularly unknown form of radiation. The x-ray has been around for a long time and has helped numerous doctors in viewing the insides of a person’s […]

The lower part of the back, also called the lumbar spine, is made up of five bones called vertebrae which are given the labels L1 through L5. The lumbar spine is located between the chest, or thoracic area, and the lowest portion of the spinal column, known as the sacrum. Lumbar is a word that […]

What is a Flexibility Test and what is its Purpose? Flexibility is defined as the range of movement in a joint or a series of joints and is also the length of muscles that induce a bending motion or movement.  Flexibility is the capacity of a joint, or certain joints in your body to move […]

What is Medical Diagnostic Tests? A medical test is a procedure used by medical professionals to diagnose, detect or monitor diseases, a person’s susceptibility to diseases, disease processes and, most especially to find out what treatment is best suited for the patient. Most medical diagnostic tests are usually performed in a medical laboratory. There are […]