Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
How is the spine designed?
The vertebrae are the bony building blocks of the spine. Between
each of the largest part of the vertebrae are the discs. Ligaments
are situated around the spine and discs. The spine has seven
vertebrae in the neck (cervical vertebrae), 12 vertebrae in the
mid-back (thoracic vertebrae), and five vertebrae in the low back
(lumbar vertebrae). In addition, in the mid-buttock, beneath the fifth lumbar vertebra, is sacrum followed by the tailbone (coccyx).
What is the purpose of the spine and its discs?
The bony spine is designed so that vertebrae "stacked"
together can provide a movable support structure while also
protecting the spinal cord (nervous tissue that extends down the
spinal column from the brain) from injury. Each vertebra has a
spinous process, which is a bony prominence behind the spinal cord
that shields the cord's nerve tissue. The vertebrae also have a
strong bony "body" in front of the spinal cord to provide a platform
suitable for weight-bearing.
The discs are pads that serve as "cushions" between each vertebral
body that serve to minimize the impact of movement on the spinal column. Each
disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central softer component
(nucleus pulposus). This softer component can rupture (herniate)
through the surrounding outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and irritate
adjacent nervous tissue. Ligaments are strong fibrous soft tissues
that firmly attach bones to bones. Ligaments attach each of the
vertebrae and surround each of the discs. When ligaments are injured
as the disc degenerates, localized pain in the area affected can result.
Picture of herniated disc between L4 and L5

Cross-section picture of herniated disc between L4 and L5

Picture of stapled incision post-surgery
Next: What is degenerative disc disease? What are the symptoms? »
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