Retrolisthesis describes which movement?

Retrolisthesis describes which movement?

• A. Forward slippage
• B. No movement
• C. Lateral displacement
• D. Backward slippage of a vertebra relative to the one above it

Answer: (D)

Retrolisthesis involves backward slippage of a vertebral body in relation to the vertebra below it. In other words, the vertebra moves posteriorly on the one beneath it, which is the opposite of forward slippage (anterolisthesis). Lateral displacement is a sideways shift, and no movement means stability, neither of which describe the posterior displacement characteristic of retrolisthesis.

Retrolisthesis involves backward slippage of a vertebral body in relation to the vertebra below it. In other words, the vertebra moves posteriorly on the one beneath it, which is the opposite of forward slippage (anterolisthesis). Lateral displacement is a sideways shift, and no movement means stability, neither of which describe the posterior displacement characteristic of retrolisthesis.