The word spondylolisthesis refers to the anterior slippage of one vertebral body with relation to the one below it. The word is derived from two parts - 'spondylo' means spine and listhesis means slippage. A common reason for this type of slippage is weakness or fracture of the portion of the neural arch that connects the lamina with the pedicle, facet joints, and transverse process. This area is the isthmus or pars interarticularis (area between the bony protrusions which articulate to form the joint). As the bridging element between spinal vertebral bodies, these protruding joints are key to the integrity of spinal segments. isthmic spondylolisthesis results from a spondylolisthetic defect in the pars interarticularis, which may lead to the subluxation of a vertebral body.
source: morphopedics
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