Intervertebral Disc, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile, a lumbar vertebral body lies inferior to a sectioned intervertebral disc, with the superior and inferior vertebral endplates forming the bony interfaces to the disc space. Concentric lamellae of the annulus fibrosus encircle the more gelatinous nucleus pulposus, and the annulus thickens anteriorly and laterally while tapering posteriorly toward the vertebral canal. Posterior elements extend behind the body, with the pedicle leading to the lamina and a posteriorly projecting spinous process, while transverse processes project laterally. Lateral disc anatomy is the clearest way to teach load sharing across the anterior column and why lumbar motion segments fail in characteristic patterns. Posterolateral annular fibers are a common site of fissuring, and herniation tends to migrate posterolaterally into the lateral recess because the posterior longitudinal ligament is narrower and less restraining laterally than in the midline. This is the setup for L4-L5 or L5-S1 radiculopathy, where disc material can compress the traversing nerve root in the spinal canal or the exiting root at the foramen depending on level and morphology. Simple mechanics. Big symptoms. Use this asset in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal courses when introducing the annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, and vertebral endplate as a functional unit, and in spine modules covering degenerative disc disease, annular tears, and disc protrusion. It also fits operative and interventional teaching for approaches that reference the disc space in profile, including lateral lumbar imaging correlation and planning for discectomy or interbody fusion concepts. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.