The Scottish Dog Sign is a classic radiological finding on oblique lumbar spine X-rays where the posterior elements of the vertebrae resemble a Scottish Terrier dog: the pedicle forms the eye, transverse process forms the head, superior articular process forms the ear, lamina and spinous process form the back and tail, and the inferior articular processes form the front and back legs. The most clinically significant part is the 'neck' of the dog, which represents the pars interarticularis; when this structure fractures (spondylolysis), it appears as a collar around the dog's neck, indicating a stress fracture commonly seen in athletes and those with repetitive spinal extension activities.
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“Scottish Dog Sign Explained 🐶 | The X-Ray Clue Behind Spondylolisthesis” #DrChintanPatelOrthoAdded:
Wait, this X-ray is hiding a dog. And no, I'm not joking. This is called the Scotty dog sign. It appears on an oblique view of your lumbar spine, and it's one of the most iconic findings in radiology. Every part of the vertebrae becomes a part of the dog. The pedacle is the eye. It's round and dense, just like an eyeball on X-ray. The transverse process forms the head. The superior articular process sticks out like the ear. the lamina and spinus process.
That's the back and the tail. And the legs, the inferior articular process is the front leg. The opposite inferior articular process forms the back leg.
But here's the part that actually matters clinically. See the dog's neck?
That's the pars interarticularis.
And when it breaks from a fracture, it looks like the dog is wearing a collar.
That's called spondyolyis.
Save this for your next radiology posting. And if you're a med student, this is definitely coming in your exams.
Follow for more anatomy that actually sticks.
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