title: L5 spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis: a comprehensive review with an anatomic focus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spondylolysis is most commonly observed in the lumbar spine, particularly L5, and is associated with spondylolisthesis, or anterior "slippage" of a vertebra in relation to an adjacent vertebra. Isthmic spondylolisthesis is the result of a pars interarticularis defect and will be the only type of spondylolisthesis addressed in this review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis represent a relatively common cause of low back pain, especially in young athletes, and a less common cause of neurologic compromise. When discovered in a symptomatic patient with corroborating imaging findings, early intervention provides an excellent prognosis. Herein, we review the anatomy and pathology of spondylosis and spondylolisthesis of the L5 vertebra.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, ACC 400, 1600 7th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foreman
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Griessenauer
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conklin
authors.forename: Mohammadali M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shoja
authors.forename: Curtis J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rozzelle
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*