The intervertebral disc forms a cushion between two neighboring vertebral bodies. It consists of an outer ring (with bottom and top plate) of fibrous cartilage and an inner pulpous nucleus and forms an elastic buffer and pressure distributor.
The pulpous nucleus can herniate through the fibrous ring which is also called a prolapse. Depending on the direction of the herniation and point of the spine pain, loss of reflexes, and paralysis can be the result.
(healthy)
