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How is an Intervertebral Disc Like a Jam Doughnut?!Well, let me explain. The intervertebral disc is a jelly-like structure that sits in-between individual vertebrae. Here it acts as a spacer and a shock-absorber for the vertebrae. The disc has 2 components to it. A harder inner core called the nucleus and the outer layer called the annulus. The outer layer can be likened to the layers of an onion in structure!
The disc is made up of a lot of water and as such is relatively mobile. The example of a jam doughnut is appropriate here! The jam doughnut has the outer bun with a mobile jam centre. Depending on where pressure is placed on the doughnut by the fingers, the inner jam filling can move around. Likewise with the disc, the inner nucleus can move around depending upon where the pressure is applied (this time by the vertebrae).
In cases of a 'slipped disc' the jam can be squeezed out and escape the confines of the out bun layer. This is exactly what can happen with the disc. The nucleus can breakthrough the outer annulus wall and push onto a nerve, i.e. 'slipped disc'. |
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