What does "L5-S1" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
"L5-S1" refers to a specific location in the lower part of the spine. The spine is made up of many small bones, or vertebrae, and they are labeled by region and number. The "L5" is the fifth vertebra in the lumbar, or lower, region of the spine. The "S1" is the first vertebra in the sacral, or bottom, region of the spine. So, "L5-S1" is the area where these two vertebrae meet.
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