Origin: < NL (1853) < Gk spóndyl(os) vertebra + olísthēsis dislocation, equiv. to olisthē-, var. s. of olisthánein to slip, sprain (deriv. of ólisthos slipperiness) + -sis-sis
Main Entry: spon·dy·lo·lis·the·sis Pronunciation: "spän-d&-lO-lis-'thE-s&s Function: noun : forwarddisplacement of a lumbar vertebra on the one below it and especially of the fifth lumbar vertebra on the sacrum producing pain by compression of nerve roots
spondylolisthesis spon·dy·lo·lis·the·sis (spŏn'dl-ō-lĭs-thē'sĭs) n. Forward displacement of one of the lower lumbar vertebrae over the vertebra below it or over the sacrum.
[spon-dl-oh-lis-thee-sis] 
