intervertebral disk
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A fibrocartilaginous disc serving as a cushion between vertebrae: An "intervertebral disk" is a flat, circular structure made of a tough, fibrous outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and a soft, gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). It acts as a shock absorber and allows for flexibility in the spinal column, located between all vertebrae except the first two in the neck (the atlas and axis).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- A herniated intervertebral disk can cause significant back pain and nerve compression.
- The surgeon explained how aging can lead to the natural degeneration of the intervertebral disk.
- The MRI scan revealed a bulging intervertebral disk in his lumbar spine.
Advanced Usage
"Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)": A common condition, especially in certain dog breeds, where the disk material degenerates and can herniate into the spinal canal.
- The dachshund was diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease and required surgery.
"Intervertebral disk space": The anatomical space between two vertebral bodies occupied by the disk.
- The X-ray showed a narrowing of the intervertebral disk space, indicating potential degeneration.
Variants and Related Words
- Intervertebral disc: An alternative spelling, where "disc" is used interchangeably with "disk" in this medical context.
- Spinal disc: A more general, common term for an intervertebral disk.
- Annulus fibrosus (n): The tough, outer fibrous ring of an intervertebral disk.
- Nucleus pulposus (n): The soft, gelatinous central core of an intervertebral disk.
Synonyms
- Spinal disk: A cushion between the bones of the spine.
- Intervertebral cartilage: Refers to the cartilaginous nature of the structure.
Related Phrases
Disk herniation: The condition where part of the nucleus pulposus pushes through a tear in the annulus fibrosus.
- His sciatica was caused by a disk herniation at the L5-S1 level.
Disk degeneration: The wear and tear or aging process of an intervertebral disk.
- Disk degeneration is a normal part of aging but can be accelerated by injury.
Related Terms
- Vertebra: Any of the bony segments that form the spinal column.
- Spinal column: The series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the tailbone; the backbone.
- Cartilage: The smooth, elastic connective tissue from which parts of the intervertebral disk are composed.
Noun
- a fibrocartilaginous disc serving as a cushion between all of the vertebrae of the spinal column (except between the first two)