What is intervertebral disk disease?
Anatomy of the vertebral column and spinal cord: The vertebral column, or backbone, is made up of a series of small bones, the vertebrae. These bones surround and protect the spinal cord, the large collection of nerves through which information is transmitted between the body and brain. The spinal cord must be intact and undamaged in order to feel sensations (including touch and pain), and for normal movement of the body and limbs. The individual vertebrae are separated by intervertebral disks. These soft tissue structures allow for normal movement between the vertebrae, and also act as shock absorbers. The structure of these disks is important in understanding this disease. Each disk is composed of an outer layer, which is fibrous, and an inner portion, which is a jelly-like mass. The outer fibrous layer (called the annulus fibrosus) acts to contain the inner jelly-like portion (the nucleus pulposus) and prevent it from bulging outwards. Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) occurs when
