About the Discs
There are 23 shock absorbing discs that are interwoven
into the vertebrae (spinal bones) above and below. The
discs are amazing structures and can handle hundreds of
pounds of pressure without collapsing. The central core of
the disc is made of pulpy gelatinous material (Nucleus
Pulposus). It is surrounded by hundreds of tough fibrous
layers (Annulus Fibrosus) that keep the soft Nucleus
material in the center. The Nucleus acts as a spring and
separates the vertebrae and also functions as a ball
bearing. Because of its central location, the Nucleus
allows the vertebrae above and below it to rotate, tilt
and flex in any direction.
When you bend forward, the discs are compressed by the
vertebrae above and below (like scissor action). The discs
are extremely flexible and elastic and can handle the
bodies own weight, and then some. The fibers in the
Annulus layers can be compressed, stretched and twisted
millions of times over, in one lifetime.
The disc is made up of proteins called collagen and
proteoglycans that attract water. Normally, discs
compress when pressure is put on them and decompress
when the pressure is relieved. Discs do not have a blood
supply and exchange nutrients by a process called
"imbibition". Imagine a sponge with water, when you
compress the sponge you release water. When you
remove the compressive force, water is "sucked" back in
the sponge. This is exactly how discs work and the
importance of healthy discs. Diseased discs can lead to
degenerative disc disease which can lead to arthritis,
herniated disc, facet syndrome, and spinal stenosis.
There are 23 shock absorbing discs that are interwoven
into the vertebrae (spinal bones) above and below. The
discs are amazing structures and can handle hundreds of
pounds of pressure without collapsing. The central core of
the disc is made of pulpy gelatinous material (Nucleus
Pulposus). It is surrounded by hundreds of tough fibrous
layers (Annulus Fibrosus) that keep the soft Nucleus
material in the center. The Nucleus acts as a spring and
separates the vertebrae and also functions as a ball
bearing. Because of its central location, the Nucleus
allows the vertebrae above and below it to rotate, tilt
and flex in any direction.
When you bend forward, the discs are compressed by the
vertebrae above and below (like scissor action). The discs
are extremely flexible and elastic and can handle the
bodies own weight, and then some. The fibers in the
Annulus layers can be compressed, stretched and twisted
millions of times over, in one lifetime.
The disc is made up of proteins called collagen and
proteoglycans that attract water. Normally, discs
compress when pressure is put on them and decompress
when the pressure is relieved. Discs do not have a blood
supply and exchange nutrients by a process called
"imbibition". Imagine a sponge with water, when you
compress the sponge you release water. When you
remove the compressive force, water is "sucked" back in
the sponge. This is exactly how discs work and the
importance of healthy discs. Diseased discs can lead to
degenerative disc disease which can lead to arthritis,
herniated disc, facet syndrome, and spinal stenosis.
Disc Herniation
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