Why are intervertebral discs important

Legendary Care Dr. Locations Denver. Patient Education. Telephone: Fax: Education Anatomy Tests Wellness. More News Conditions Testimonials. George Frey, M. Kevin Schmidt, M. Colorado's Top Spine Surgeons. In addition to adding height, each disc plays a vital role absorbing the stress and shock the body incurs during movement and prevents the vertebrae from grinding against one another.

Despite the pivotal role intervertebral discs play in spinal function, their access to the blood supply of the body is nearly nonexistent. Each disc absorbs the nutrients they need by means of osmosis. It is this reduced blood flow that makes discs vulnerable to damage and slow to recover and heal from injury. This damage can occur from both acute trauma and chronic degeneration. Each disc is made up of two parts:. On either side of the disc is a cartilaginous end plate that acts as connection between the disc and the vertebral body.

Together with the annulus fibrosis, the nucleus pulposus helps reduce and cushion stress and weight from vertebra to vertebra. The structural components of the nucleus pulposus are similar to the annulus fibrosus. It is a collection of molecules combined to form matrix consisting of:. The difference between the nucleus and the annulus is the concentration of each of these substances.

The nucleus contains more water than the annulus — the more water, the more cushioning or shock absorbing ability a disc will have and the more height each disc will maintain.

This water will cause the discs to appear bright white on a T2 MRI image. Damage to a disc can cause water to leave or leak out of the disc and appear the disc to appear dark on MRI see below — Pathology for causes of DDD. This lack of water will decrease the height of the disc and increase stress, as well as the amount of weight transmitted to the vertebra of the spine — also known as Degenerative Disc Disease DDD Annulus Fibrosus The annulus is a sturdy tire-like structure that encases a gel-like center, the nucleus pulposus.

The intervertebral discs are the largest structures in the body without a vascular supply. As mentioned above, the discs depend on osmosis to get the nutrients they need to survive and maintain their health. The annulus contains water, although less than the nucleus. It also contains layers of sturdy elastic collagen fibers. The disc begins to lose water content and shrinks. This may result in injury to the nerves and vertebrae, and the aging disc itself may generate pain. Common Neurosurgical Disorders See List.

Common Spine Disorders See List. What is Neurosurgery. Read Here. Let us tell you. Neurosurgical Spine Peripheral Nerves. Surgical and Support Team Miroslav P. Bobek, M. Inside this protective covering is a jelly-like substance known as mucoprotein gel. This interior is known as the nucleus pulposus. As the spine receives pressure, the gel moves inside the annulus fibrosus and redistributes itself to absorb the impact of the pressure.

The mucoprotein gel loses moisture as a person ages and the spine is able to absorb less shock. The outer layer of annulus fibrosus on the intervertebral disk deteriorates with age and can begin to rip, and this causes chronic back pain for some people. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and is located at the base of the skull. Its function is to support the skull, enabling head movements….

The tenth thoracic vertebra T10 is one of twelve vertebrae that make up the central section of the vertebral column. The spine consists of three….