These three terms are often encountered in spinal problems. While they sound similar, they refer to slightly different things. They all derive from the Greek word for spine – spondylos.
Spondylosis refers to degenerative changes in the spine. Spondylolisthesis refers to forward slipping of one vertebra on the other. Spondylolysis refers to a defect in the vertebral bone (pars defect).
To confuse things further, a spondylolysis can cause a spondylolisthesis…..
For professional advice and interpretation of your scans, please seek neurosurgical review.