1. one of the nine Greek goddesses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who presided over the arts: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. 2. (sometimes l.c.) the inspiration that motivates a poet, artist, or thinker.
The process is superimposed by degenerative changes that can cause stenosis and affect the nerve roots and these changes don't go away, even beyond age 75, as you see in this patient. Since the spine is a mobile organ structure, it does not spontaneously fuse until beyond 70 to 80 years of age.
Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. By Michael Perry, M.D. Degenerative joint disease is common in the lumbar spine, or lower back, because this portion of the spine supports about half of the bodyâs total weight. A lifetime of pressure on the lower back can cause the cartilage within the facet joints to wear down, a condition that can lead to bone spurs, joint stiffness, inflammation and pain.