The Worst Kind of Back Pain | Herniated Discs & Sciatica
Institute of Human Anatomy・17 minutes read
Discs in the spine act as shock absorbers, receiving nutrients through diffusion, and can cause pain when they irritate nerves. Herniated discs can affect specific nerves, even without discs in the sacrum, leading to symptoms like sciatica below L4 or L5.
Insights
- Discs in the spine, made up of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, play a crucial role in shock absorption and nutrient exchange due to their avascular nature, requiring diffusion from nearby blood vessels for healing and maintenance.
- Understanding the distinct differences between bulging and herniated discs, as well as the potential impact on spinal nerves like L4 and L5, highlights the complexity of disc-related issues and their potential to cause symptoms like sciatica, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment to address underlying causes effectively.
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Recent questions
What are intervertebral discs?
Intervertebral discs are structures found between the vertebrae in the spine, acting as shock absorbers and making up about 25% of the spine's height. They consist of the annulus fibrosus on the outer portion and the nucleus pulposus in the center.
How do discs receive nutrients?
Discs are avascular and receive nutrients through diffusion from nearby blood vessels. This impacts their healing process and susceptibility to injuries, as proper blood flow is crucial for nutrient exchange and maintenance.
What is the difference between bulging and herniated discs?
A bulging disc involves the outer portion stretching outward, while a herniated disc has cracks that allow the nucleus pulposus to protrude. These conditions can impact spinal nerves and cause varying levels of pain and discomfort.
How can disc injuries affect nerves?
Disc injuries, such as bulging or herniated discs, can compress spinal nerves, leading to symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness. This compression can occur at any level of the spine but is commonly seen in the lower lumbar region.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, can result from disc compression on spinal nerves, particularly below L4 or L5, affecting the sciatic nerve pathway. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and weakness along the sciatic nerve's pathway.
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Summary
00:00
Understanding Intervertebral Discs in the Spine
- Discs are intervertebral discs found between the vertebrae in the spine, starting at C2 and ending at L5 and S1.
- Discs make up about 25% of the spine's height, with the height fluctuating due to compression and decompression during the day.
- The disc's outer portion is the annulus fibrosus, while the central portion is the nucleus pulposus, acting as a shock absorber.
- Discs are avascular, receiving nutrients through diffusion from nearby blood vessels, impacting healing and injuries.
- Stretching and mobility exercises like yoga can help increase blood flow to discs, aiding in nutrient exchange.
- Bulging and herniated discs are distinct terms; a bulging disc involves the outer portion stretching outward, while a herniated disc has cracks allowing the nucleus pulposus to protrude.
- Disc injuries may not always cause immediate pain, with pain often arising when the disc irritates or compresses surrounding structures like nerves.
- Disc bulging or herniations can affect spinal nerves at any level, but common areas are L4 and L5 in the lower lumbar region.
- Symptoms of nerve compression from disc issues can be identified through dermatome and myotome testing, assessing skin areas and muscle weakness.
- Sciatica, or lumbar radiculopathy, can result from disc compression on spinal nerves, particularly below L4 or L5, affecting the sciatic nerve pathway.
13:40
Spinal Cord Development and Disc Herniation
- Development of the spinal cord occurs inside the uterus, with the spinal cord not aligning with the vertebrae due to differential growth.
- The spinal cord in adults ends at L1-L2, while in infants it extends to L3-L4, with nerve roots growing longer to accommodate the spine's faster growth.
- Herniation of discs can affect specific nerves, with posterior lateral herniations impacting certain nerves and sparing others, showcasing how issues can arise even without discs in the sacrum.
