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Intervertebral Discs

Intervertebral Discs are also called spinal discs or simply discs (or disks). They act as shock absorbers and cushions in between the individual vertebrae. There are 23 discs in the normal human spine. Added together, the spinal discs make up about one quarter of the spine's total length.

intervertebral discs

Intervertebral Discs Structure

Spinal discs are composed of a tough fibrous outer wall (annulus fibrosus) and a softer, pliable inner core (nucleus pulpous). Discs are composed of water, collagen and proteoglycans. The outer walls are thick and multilayered to resist wear and tear. The inner core is moist and more flexible. Discs have no blood supply and receive nutrients through cartilaginous end plates attaching the discs to the surrounding vertebrae.

Discs have a variable percentage of water in them, depending on the time of day and activity level. As we age, the discs naturally tend to dehydrate and shrink. This is sometimes called degenerative disc disease, but it is rarely symptomatic by itself. Disc shrinkage is simply a normal part of aging.

Discs are one of the great scapegoats in the medical view of back pain. They are blamed for many symptomatic conditions, but are rarely the cause of chronic back pain.

Intervertebral Discs to Back Pain Home 5/18/06 Revised 11/9/08