Intervertebral disc
Intervertebral disc
Intervertebral disc (pronunciation: in-ter-ver-te-bral disk) is a fibrocartilaginous structure found between the vertebrae in the spine.
Etymology
The term "intervertebral" is derived from the Latin words "inter", meaning "between", and "vertebra", meaning "joint of the spine". The term "disc" is derived from the Latin word "discus", which means "a round plate".
Definition
The intervertebral disc acts as a shock absorber in the spine, allowing for flexibility and movement while also providing structural support. Each disc is composed of a tough outer layer, the annulus fibrosus, and a gel-like inner core, the nucleus pulposus.
Related Terms
- Vertebrae: The individual bones that stack to make the spine.
- Spine: The backbone, a column of vertebrae extending from the skull to the small of the back.
- Annulus fibrosus: The tough outer layer of an intervertebral disc.
- Nucleus pulposus: The soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc.
- Disc degeneration: A condition where the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, start to wear down with age.
- Herniated disc: A condition that occurs when the nucleus pulposus, the soft inner material of an intervertebral disc, leaks out through a tear in the annulus fibrosus.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Intervertebral disc
- Wikipedia's article - Intervertebral disc
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