Intervertebral disc — Free Anatomy Illustration

Anatomy

Intervertebral disc

Flattened round to oval intervertebral fibrocartilaginous disc shown in cross-section or side view as a thick cushion-like pad between adjacent vertebral bodies, wider than tall with slightly flattened top and bottom surfaces. The disc has a thick outer annulus fibrosus depicted as pale gray-white, cream, beige, tan, or faintly bluish concentric layered fibrous rings, sometimes subtly bulging, surrounding a softer central nucleus pulposus shown as a lighter rounded core. Overall appearance is smooth and off-white to pale bluish-white or gray-tan, emphasizing the disc as a spinal spacer pad.

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