Facet: The actual joint surface of each vertebra, facing the adjacent bone above and below. Sometimes referred to as the zygapophyseal joint.

Fibromyalgia: Often is a diagnosis given to patients who experience low back pain and aching joints or unknown origin. It is characterized by a diffuse nondescript pain accompanied by fatigue and often presents difficulty with sleeping. Science is attempting to distinguish it from a syndrome, versus a specific disease. There is no standard radiographic evidence or blood tests to define it and often it accompanies an emotional component. The American College or Rheumatology has developed specific tender point criteria for this diagnosis. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/fibromya_new.asp

Foraminotomy: A surgical procedure that is performed to enlarge the passageway where a spinal nerve root exits the spinal canal. The term foraminotomy is derived from the medical term for a hollow passageway - foramen. The latter half of the term foraminotomy - otomy - means to remove. During a foraminotomy, the spine surgeon removes bone or tissue that obstructs the passageway and compresses ('pinches') the spinal nerve root, which can cause inflammation and pain. Often the nerve (neuro) passageways are called neuroforamen.