Slipped disc

Slipped disc
Rupturing of the tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column. The center of the disc, which is called the nucleus, is soft, springy and receives the shock of standing, walking, running, etc. The outer ring of the disc, which is called the annulus (Latin for ring), provides structure and strength to the disc. The annulus consists of a complex series of interwoven layers of fibrous tissue that hold the nucleus in place. A slipped disc is also known as a herniated disc. The term "slipped disc" comes from the action of the nuclear tissue when it is forced from the center of the disc. The nuclear tissue located in the center of the disc can be placed under so much pressure that it can cause the annulus to rupture. When a disc herniates or ruptures, it may create pressure against one or more of the spinal nerves which can cause pain, weakness or numbness in the area of the body served by those nerves. Other names for slipped (herniated) discs are prolapsed and ruptured discs.

* * *

a colloquial term for a prolapsed intervertebral disc.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • slipped disc — slipped disk AmE n [C usually singular] a painful injury caused when one of the connecting parts between the bones in your back moves out of place …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • slipped disc — slipped discs N COUNT If you have a slipped disc, you have a bad back because one of the discs in your spine has moved out of its proper position …   English dictionary

  • slipped disc — ► NOUN ▪ a cartilaginous disc between vertebrae in the spine that is displaced or partly protruding, pressing on nearby nerves and causing back pain or sciatica …   English terms dictionary

  • slipped disc — noun a painful rupture of the fibrocartilage of the disc between spinal vertebrae; occurs most often in the lumbar region • Syn: ↑herniated disc, ↑ruptured intervertebral disc • Hypernyms: ↑rupture * * * slipped disc see ↑disc • • • …   Useful english dictionary

  • slipped disc — UK [ˌslɪpt ˈdɪsk] / US noun [countable] Word forms slipped disc : singular slipped disc plural slipped discs medical a painful medical condition affecting your back, in which one of the parts that connect the bones in your spine has moved out of… …   English dictionary

  • Slipped disc (disambiguation) — Slipped disc is most frequently used as an informal and misleading name for the medical condition known as spinal disc herniation (prolapsus disci intervertebralis) .It can also refer to the following: *A song by the Benny Goodman Sextet or the… …   Wikipedia

  • Slipped Disc Records — Infobox Company company name = Slipped Disc Records company type = music retailer caption = Slipped Disc logo foundation = 1982 [http://www.buymusichere.net/rel/v2 home.php?storenr=249 deptnr=43] location = flagicon|USA Valley Stream, New York,… …   Wikipedia

  • slipped disc — a colloquial term for a herniated intervertebral disc (see prolapsed intervertebral disc) …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • slipped disc — noun an instance of the pulpy inner material of an intervertebral disc protruding through the fibrous outer coat, pressing on nearby nerves and causing back pain or sciatica …   English new terms dictionary

  • slipped disc — /slɪpt ˈdɪsk/ (say slipt disk) noun a protrusion of an intervertebral disc, often responsible for pain in the back radiating down the back of the leg …  

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”