Intervertebral disc facts for kids
An intervertebral disc is like a soft cushion found between the bones (called vertebrae) in your spine. Think of them as tiny shock absorbers for your back. They are super important for keeping your spine healthy and flexible.
These discs are a special type of cartilage that acts like a joint. They allow your vertebrae to move a little bit. They also work like strong ligaments, helping to hold your spine bones together.
Contents
What are Intervertebral Discs Made Of?
Each intervertebral disc has two main parts:
The Outer Ring
The outside part of the disc is a tough, fibrous ring. It's made of strong material called collagen. This outer ring helps to protect the disc and keep it in place. It's built to be very strong, especially around its edges.
The Inner Gel
Inside this tough outer ring is a soft, jelly-like center. This squishy part is called the nucleus pulposus. It's made of loose fibers floating in a special gel.
How the Inner Gel Works
The nucleus pulposus is the main "shock absorber" of the disc. When you jump or move, it helps to spread out the pressure evenly. This keeps your vertebrae from rubbing against each other. It also helps to keep the two vertebrae slightly separated.
Images for kids
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Stages of spinal disc herniation
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Micrograph showing a fragment of an intervertebral disc demonstrating degenerative fibrocartilage with loss of nuclei and nests of chondrocytes, as seen in degenerative disc disease. HPS stain.
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Anulus fibrosus.
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Artificial intervertebral disc.
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Posterior longitudinal ligament, in the thoracic region.
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Median sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebrae.
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Costovertebral articulations. Anterior view.
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Polarised light microscopy image of the annulus fibrosus, showing the concentric layers of fibrous tissue.
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See also
In Spanish: Disco intervertebral para niños
