Disc protrusion
Encyclopedia
A disc protrusion is a disease
condition which can occur in some vertebrate
s, including humans, in which the outermost layers of the annulus fibrosus
of the intervertebral disc
s of the spine
are intact, but bulge when one or more of the discs are under pressure.
A disc protrusion may progress to a spinal disc herniation
, a condition in which there is a tear in the annulus fibrosus.
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
condition which can occur in some vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
s, including humans, in which the outermost layers of the annulus fibrosus
Annulus fibrosus disci intervertebralis
Each intervertebral fibrocartilage is composed, at its circumference, of laminæ of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage, forming the annulus fibrosus.-Spelling notes:...
of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.-Structure:...
s of the spine
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
are intact, but bulge when one or more of the discs are under pressure.
A disc protrusion may progress to a spinal disc herniation
Spinal disc herniation
A spinal disc herniation , informally and misleadingly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine due to trauma, lifting injuries, or idiopathic, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion A spinal disc herniation...
, a condition in which there is a tear in the annulus fibrosus.