What is a normal disc?

What is a normal disc?

The intervertebral disc is the cartilage pad that sits between the vertebrae, the bones of the spine. Description. The normal disc is made of two parts: the 80% water-filled, jelly-like nucleus pulposus and. the rubberband-like, sensitive outer fibers (anular fibers) call the anulus fibrosus.

What does the L stand for in L5?

L1-L5 (lumbar vertebrae): The symbols L1 through L5 represent the five lumbar vertebrae. The lumbar vertebrae are situated between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacral vertebrae in the spinal column.

What does loss of disc T2 signal mean?

Change in the disc signal, or darkening of the signal, is associated with dehydration or loss of hydrogen ions within the disc. This is often associated with lumbar disc degeneration. Decreased hydration leads to a loss of signal intensity on the T2 images which leads to darkening of the disc on the image (Figure 6).

Can L4 and L5 cause groin pain?

Conclusions: Elderly patients with L4-L5 protruding herniation of the anulus fibrosus were most likely to experience groin pain. The sinuvertebral nerve that innervates the posterior anulus fibrosus, the posterior longitudinal ligament, and the dura was indicated as the afferent nerve of groin pain.

What is mild disc space narrowing?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck. Some people with spinal stenosis may not have symptoms.

What does T2 signal abnormality mean?

Abnormal brightness on a T2 image indicates a disease process such as trauma, infection, or cancer.

What happens when a portion of the disc breaks off?

If a portion of disc actually breaks off, this is referred to as a segmented fragment. This usually occurs when a portion of nucleus pulposes extrudes through the annular fibrosis and then fragments, subsequently migrating into the spinal canal.

What does it mean when your disc moves out of position?

The term ‘slipped disc’ suggests that a disc has moved out of position, but this is not accurate. The discs are held firmly in place by various structures (including ligaments, muscles and the vertebrae themselves).

What’s the difference between slipped disc and extruded disc?

A ‘slipped disc’ is an inaccurate term still sometimes used to describe a disc protrusion. It suggests a disc has moved out of position, but this is not the case. Discs are held firmly in place by ligaments, muscles and the vertebrae themselves. Terms like ‘protruded’, ‘herniated’, ‘extruded’, ‘bulged’ or ‘prolapsed’ better describe the situation.

What’s the difference between a herniated and a prolapsed disc?

The function of the discs is to prevent the vertebrae from grinding against one another and to absorb the impact of any jolts or bumps during everyday activities. What Is the Difference Between A Prolapsed Disc and A Herniated Disc? A prolapsed or herniated disc refers to the displacement of disc material beyond the intervertebral disc space.