What is a Cervical Disc?

The spine is a column made of up bones, discs and ligaments. The blocks of bone (or vertebrae) provide the anterior support and structure of the spine. Discs are located between the bones (vertebrae) and function as "shock absorbers". The discs also contribute to the flexibility and mobility of the spinal column. The discs are made up of two parts: 1) The inner portion of the disc is a jelly-like material and is called the nucleus pulposus. 2) The outer part is called the anulus fibrosus of the disc. It is stronger and more fibrous than the nucleus pulposus. The anulus fibrosus surrounds and supports the inner jelly material. Disc material is mainly composed of water and other proteins. As a normal part of aging, the water content gradually reduces. This can cause the disc to flatten out and even develop tears or cracks throughout the anulus fibrosus. These discs are often referred to as "degenerative" discs and may or may not cause pain. In the case of a degenerative disc, the inner ...  more

The term cervical disc refers to a spinal disc -- or intervertebral disc -- located in the neck region. The cervical disc is a flat structure made of specialized connective tissue. It sits between pairs of cervical vertebrae, or neck bones. The cervical vertebrae are interlocking bones in the neck that form the upper portion of the spine. There is no cervical disc between the first and second cervical bone, which are called the atlas and axis, respectively. A cervical disc acts as cushioning for the neck bones and absorbs shock when the spine bends and twists. Each disc forms a joint that allows the vertebrae to move slightly during the bending and turning of the neck; it is also made of ligaments that hold the spine together. Each cervical disc is made up of a nucleus, a spongy and jellylike center that acts as a shock absorber. Normal activities put pressure on the body and spine. The pressure is spread evenly across the nucleus so that the impact is absorbed. The nucleus is ...  more